COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs softball team won 9-1 in its first game and 6-3 in the second in Saturday's double header against New Mexico Highlands University.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final: Game 1/5: UCCS 9, NMHU 1 | Game 2: UCCS 6, NMHU 3
Records: UCCS (15-12, 9-9 RMAC), NMHU (8-22, 6-12 RMAC)
Game 1 Location: Mountain Lion Field – Colorado Springs, Colo.
Game 2 Location: Mountain Lion Field – Colorado Springs, Colo.
All-Time Series: The Mountain Lions move to 38-11 all-time against the Cowgirls.
HOW IT HAPPENED | GAME ONE
- Mountain Lions starting pitcher Autumn Kunze retired the side in order to begin the game with two strikeouts and an impressive diving play from the right fielder Jacqueline Berkowitz. Jennavieve Goldsworth led off the bottom half of the first with a bunt single and advanced to third on a throwing error. Alyssa Gutierrez would then also reach first on a bunt and advanced to second due to some solid baserunning. Gianna Pancost would plate the first run of the game on a single through the left side of the infield before a sacrifice fly from Tayler McCombs as the Mountain Lions held a 2-0 lead heading into the second.
- The Cowgirls would respond in the top of the second with a run of their own, but the Mountain Lions answered back as Laynee Case and Goldsworth both notched an RBI to extend the lead to 4-1. Pancost would add another to that lead in the bottom of the third with a leadoff home run to left center field. McCombs and Halley Redd would continue with a double and a single, respectively, as the Mountain Lions took a 6-1 lead into the fourth.
- Kunze continued her strong outing in the circle with another scoreless inning in the fourth before the UCCS offense plated another run to go up 7-1 through four innings. The Mountain Lions would go on to score two more in the bottom of the fifth to win by way of an eight-run mercy rule.
STATS FROM GAME ONE
- The Mountain Lions recorded nine runs and 11 hits in the first game of Saturday's double header while drawing two walks and striking out four times.
- Goldsworth provided a spark in the lineup as she posted a 3-for-3 batting line with two RBIs, and one run scored.
- Seven of the Mountain Lions' starters recorded a hit on Friday morning, as Goldsworth led the team with three.
- Kunze drew the start for UCCS inside the circle and tossed five innings while allowing one run on two hits and no walks for her seventh win of the season.
HOW IT HAPPENED | GAME TWO
- Kailey Bond drew the start for the Mountain Lions in the second game and began by retiring the Cowgirls in order. UCCS had one batter reach safely in the bottom half of the inning but were unable to score as the score remained tied heading inti the second.
- With the game still scoreless in the bottom of the third inning, Redd would lead UCCS off with a single to left and soon found herself on third with one out. Some excellent defense by the Cowgirls would ultimately stop the Mountain Lions from scoring and hold the score at 0-0.
- NMHU's Yasmin Villa led off the fourth inning with a double to left center field and tagged up on a foul out to the shortstop to reach third with one out. Attempting to appeal an early tag by Villa, Bond threw the ball away into the outfield to allow the first run of the game. With runners in scoring position and two outs, Bond would strike out the final NMHU batter of the inning to limit the damage and head into the bottom of the fourth with a one-run deficit. Down by one in the fourth, Pancost would tie the game back up with a leadoff home run to center field.
- Berkowitz would start things off for UCCS in the bottom of the fifth inning with a double. Goldsworth followed up that hit with a two-run shot to right center field as the Mountain Lions took their first lead of the game at 3-1. Katie Steinmetz got in on the action with a solo home run with two outs to extend the lead to three.
- The Mountain Lions loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the sixth and ended up plating two more runs on no hits to go up 6-1. Bond came out again in the seventh to finish the game she started and sacrificed two runs but finished the inning with a 6-3 victory.
STATS FROM GAME TWO
- Steinmetz and Redd were the leaders for the Mountain Lions with two hits, as the team finished with eight total.
- Four different Mountain Lions notched an RBI in the second game of Saturday's double header (Goldsworth, Gutierrez, Pancost, and Steinmetz).
- Bond (4-4) started the game inside the circle for the Mountain Lions and pitched a complete game, allowing three runs (three earned), walked none, and struck out six.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- The first game of Saturday's double header was the third game the Mountain Lions have won in five innings due to a mercy rule this season.
- Bond's six strikeouts were the second most she has had in a game this season.
- The second game of Saturday's double header was Bond's second complete game this season.
- Game one featured four sacrifice fly balls from the Mountain Lions, marking the most they have had in a game this season.
UP NEXT
- The Mountain Lions will finish their series against NMHU with a double header tomorrow, March 22nd. The first game is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. and the second is at 1:00 p.m.
SOCIAL
Twitter – @GoMountainLions
Instagram – @gomountainlions
Facebook – GoMountainLions
As a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, the University of Colorado Colorado Springs competes in 14 varsity sports in NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletics.
