COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs softball team came back from down 5-0 to defeat Black Hill State University 6-5 with a walk off home run in game one, and were powered by a flurry of doubles as well as great pitching to win game two 3-2.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final: Game 1: UCCS 6, BHSU 5 | Game 2: UCCS 3, BHSU 2
Records: UCCS (26-19, 20-16 RMAC), BHSU (22-25, 19-17 RMAC)
Location: Mountain Lion Field – Colorado Springs, Colo.
All-Time Series: With today's two wins the Mountain Lions improve their all-time series record over the Yellow Jackets to 34-14.
HOW IT HAPPENED | GAME ONE
- The Yellow Jackets started the scoring in the top of the second with a three-run home run over the centerfield wall off the bat of third basewoman Carly Reyes Mims.
- BHSU tacked on two more in the top of the third inning with a two-RBI single from shortstop Lily Simmons which prompted the removal of UCCS starting pitcher Janessa Giugliano.
- The Mountain Lions threatened with two base runners in the bottom of the third after an error extended the inning, but a diving catch by Yellow Jacket right fielder Alyssa Wong ended the inning before UCCS could capitalize.
- The Mountain Lions threatened again in the fourth inning, loading the bases with only one out, but BHSU starting pitcher Kaitlyn Geschwill escaped the jam yet again.
- UCCS finally broke through in the fifth inning as Mackenzie Scott blasted a grand slam over the right center field wall to pull the Mountain Lions back into the game and make the score 4-5.
- The Mountain Lions completed the comeback in the seventh inning as Laynee Case and Brooke Bornitz hit back-to-back solo home runs which served as the tying and game winning runs to win 6-5.
STATS FROM GAME ONE
- Mackenzie Scott led the way for the UCCS offense, being the only Mountain Lion with multiple hits including her grand slam. Katie Steinmetz and Laynee Case joined Scott in reaching base three times each with two walks and a hit a piece.
- Brooke Bornitz's walk off home run was the first of her collegiate career, while Scott's grand slam was her second home run of the season.
- All nine Mountain Lion batters reached base via either the walk or with a hit today, with five of the nine reaching base multiple times.
- Janessa Giugliano started in the circle for the Mountain Lions and allowed five runs in just 2.2 innings of work as she gave up four hits, and five walks while striking out four. Kailey Bond came in relief and recorded the win (8-6), while throwing 4.1 innings, allowing no runs and only three hits and three walks.
- Yellow Jackets' starting pitcher Kaitlyn Geschwill struggled giving up five runs, including the winning run after reentering the game, on six hits and six walks as she received the loss (12-10).
HOW IT HAPPENED | GAME TWO
- The Yellow Jackets struck first again in game two as Caylee Mann launched a solo home run down the left field line to give BHSU an early 1-0 lead.
- The Mountain Lions responded quickly, as Taylor McCombs and Laynee Case combined for back-to-back doubles to score a run and tie the game at one a piece.
- Mackenzie Scott continued her fantastic day in the top of fourth inning with a laser throw to the plate to gun down a runner, and the making a diving catch one batter latter to save two separate runs from scoring.
- Scott followed her impressive defensive frame with an RBI double in the bottom of the fourth to give UCCS a 2-1 lead.
- The Mountain Lions added an insurance run in the sixth inning as Scott and Halley Redd hit back-to-back doubles, allowing Scott to come around and extend the UCCS lead 3-1.
- Lily Simmons led off the top of the seventh with a solo home run as the Yellow Jackets would not go down without a fight, however, Autumn Kunze retired the next three batters and secured the 3-2 win for UCCS in game two.
STATS FROM GAME TWO
- Halley Redd led the way for the Mountain Lions, doubling twice and scoring a run while driving in two more as she contributed to all three UCCS runs.
- Mackenzie Scott and Jennavieve Goldsworth also both doubled twice as the Mountain Lions recorded seven total doubles despite only notching nine hits.
- Autumn Kunze pitched a complete game for UCCS today, going 7.0 innings, giving up two runs on five hits while striking out two as she recorded her tenth win of the season (10-5).
- Sophia Honse received the loss (5-5) giving up three runs of nine hits in her 6.0 innings of work.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Mackenzie Scott's grand slam in game one was the first of her career and just her sixth collegiate home run.
- Brooke Bornitz's walk off home run in game one was her first collegiate long ball.
- Autumn Kunze's win today was her 10th of the season, which marks her second career 10 win season.
UP NEXT
- The Mountain Lions will head back on the road next weekend to take on Regis University for a four-game series in Denver, Colo. on April 25-26.
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.
