Pack takes two of three as 62 total runs are scored in three games.
CHADRON, Neb. (GoThunderWolves.com - April 14, 2012) - An expected snowstorm, three straight softball games, 62 total runs and a frantic comeback led by a true freshman with all of 8 at bats to her credit - all in a day's work for the CSU-Pueblo softball team, which remained in first place in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference after taking two of three from Chadron State.
In a day of abject weirdness, which began with the day's planned doubleheader turning into a rare tripleheader because of fears of a Sunday snowstorm hitting Western Nebraska, the ThunderWolves kicked the game off with one of its best innings in school history.
Fifteen ThunderWolves appeared at the plate in the top of the first inning as the Pack scored 10 runs on Chadron State, headlined by a three-run home run by Sarah Bosshart (Sr., Irvine, Calif.), her first of two home runs on the day. CSU-Pueblo ripped the Eagles for seven hits in its 10-run explosion, each and every run earned. It created an immediate buffer that the ThunderWolves rode to a run-rule 10-2 win as Justine Bosio (Jr., Sant Barbara, Calif.) improved to 13-4.
The ThunderWolves, however, gassed out after the first game, as it allowed 15 runs to the Eagles in a 15-7 loss in the second game. Despite a Bosshart grand slam, the Pack couldn't muster much offense, recording just four hits in the game.
CSU-Pueblo seemed destined to be upset as the third game was hurdling toward a close as Pack pitching again was breaking down. Chadron State held an 11-5 lead after five innings, on its way to a win when the Pack turned in a signature big inning to wrest control away from the Eagles.
CSU-Pueblo plated eight runs in the sixth inning by working each and every at bat. The Pack drew two walks, leaned into two pitches to draw a free pass via hit batsmen, as well as four singles.
The big hit, however, which can go down as one of the biggest hits of the season by any ThunderWolf so far this year, was turned in by Sidney Bailey (Fr., Pueblo, Colo.). Bailey, a true freshman and Pueblo native, entered the game as a defensive sub in the fifth inning and brought a cold bat to the plate, going only 1-for-6 so far this season in spot duty.
After drawing the leadoff baserunner of the sixth by leaning into a pitch, Bailey got a second chance of the inning, this time with the bases loaded. She responded by drilling a shot over the leftfield fence, giving the Pack a 13-11 lead it would not relinquish. For good measure, Bailey also added a two-run single in her final at bat of the game in the 7th inning.
The rally helped lift the Pack out of a situation that would have dropped them out of first place in the RMAC standings. Instead, CSU-Pueblo ends the day with a 1-1/2 game lead over Colorado Christian in the RMAC standings and an assurance that it cannot drop any lower than a first-place tie at the end of the weekend's games.
CSU-Pueblo will try to wrap up its series with Chadron State tomorrow, though snow is expected to eliminate the game. The game is still scheduled for an 11 a.m. start, however.
