PUEBLO, Colo. (GoThunderWolves.com - Mar. 17, 2013) - Things weren't always easy or the prettiest in the final two games of a weekend series against Black Hills State. Game one involved a all-around performance from the Pack in a 8-0 win, while game two involved a little help from the Yellow Jackets themselves in a 3-2 win to earn the weekend sweep.
In game one the Pack was aided by another powerful pitching performance from Justine Bosio (Sr., Santa Barbara, Calif.) and two innings where the team scored three-plus runs. Bosio improved to 7-3 on the season as she pitched five scoreless innings, allowing only a single hit in the fifth.
Offensively the Pack were patient at the plate, earning seven walks in the game, while also combining for ten hits.
After a passed ball scored the ThunderWolves first run in the first inning, Dora Hernandez (Fr., Benton City, Wash.) hit a single up the middle that scored another two runs.
The Yellow Jackets found themselves in more trouble in the fourth inning after the Pack loaded the bases, bringing up Samantha Rios (Sr., Fullerton, Calif.). Rios broke the game wide open with a single to left field that scored two runs. Bosio would add an RBI single in the next at-bat followed by an RBI single by Courtney Fick (Jr., Romona, Calif.).
Game two featured sloppy defense by the Pack as they committed four errors in the game. The errors never seriously hurt the Pack as starting pitcher Kelli Henry (So., Monument, Colo.) worked out of numerous jams with key groundballs and strikeouts.
Henry finished the day allowing only four hits and two runs, one of which was unearned.
The Yellow Jackets added a run in the fifth on an error and another run in the sixth on an RBI single.
Down two runs in the bottom of the seventh, the Pack would need a rally to overcome their sloppy play and earn the weekend sweep.
In a patient at-bat by McKenzie Joseph (Sr., Bakersfield, Calif.), she worked the count in her favor before earning a lead-off walk. Brittany Styger (So., Kent, Wash.) would reach on a bunt single to the pitcher, after beating out a close throw. A strikeout and a fielder's choice would set up a do-or-die situation for Sidney Bailey (So., Pueblo, Colo.).
Bailey wouldn't falter in her at-bat, singleing to third base after beating out a throw from the hot corner.
The bases loaded situation would bring up Rios in a showdown that she appeared to have lost when she hit a fly ball to right field. The shallow hit ball to right field appeared to dip a bit before hitting and falling out of the right fielders glove that would set up as the game-winning play. All three runners scored to secure the walkoff and sweep for the Pack.
With the Pack currently sitting at second in the conference with a 15-5 overall record and a 12-3 RMAC record, the team takes to the road to play Western New Mexico. First pitch against the Mustangs is scheduled for 12 p.m. Saturday.
