Pack makes up for collapse in first game with 8-2 win.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (GoThunderWolves.com - Apr. 9, 2011) - CSU-Pueblo bounced back from a potentially back-breaking walk-off ending to Saturday's opening game with Chadron State, losing 5-4, before claiming an 8-2 win in the late game and splitting the doubleheader.

For the second time in as many days, the ThunderWolves had a tie or a lead going into the bottom of the 7th inning only to lose it, but Saturday's collapse was much more excruciating.  The Pack led 4-0 going into the bottom of the 7th as Shannon Traxinger (Jr., Longmont, Colo.) was carrying a three-hitter into the inning.

But Chadron promply put runners on first and second, and three CSU-Pueblo walks and an error helped the Eagles plate five runs and claim a 5-4.

Thankfully for the ThunderWolves, the second game was all Pack.  Aside from a two-run fifth inning for the Eagles, where they registered three hits, Pack pitcher Marissa Reyes (Fr., Santa Paula, Calif.) allowed just two hits otherwise.

Offensively, the ThunderWolves were upside down in their production as the bottom of the order carried the team.  While the one-through-six hitters were a combined 5-for-23 (.217), CSU-Pueblo's seven-through-nine hitters were 7-for-10 with two doubles, two home runs and five RBI.  Leading that group was Reagan Best (So., Greeley, Colo.), who went a collegiate-best 3-for-3 and falling a triple away from the cycle.  She registered her three RBI on a third-inning three-run bomb that gave the ThunderWolves' its first lead.

CSU-Pueblo, now 15-13 in RMAC play, are now a game behind Mesa State for first place in the RMAC West Division, which swept RMAC-leading Colorado Mines and Fort Lewis this weekend.  The Pack will remain on the road to take on Mines in Golden next weekend.