PUEBLO, Colo. (GoThunderWolves.com - Apr. 6, 2013) - Behind an offense that put up 18 hits in two games, the CSU-Pueblo softball team was able to score two huge conference wins over New Mexico Highlands Saturday. Carlie Lucas' (Sr., Granada Hills, Calif.) grand slam in game one helped the Pack win 6-3, before a come-from-behind victory highlighted a 5-4 win in game two.
The Pack never trailed in game one, scoring first in the second inning off of an infield hit by Alexa Snyder (So., Pueblo, Colo.) that scored Brittany Styger (So., Kent, Wash.).
The offense would continue in the third inning after the Pack loaded the bases on a pair of singles and a fielder's choice that the Cowgirls were unable to execute. After a walk by Samantha Rios (Sr., Fullerton, Calif.) scored a run, with the bases still loaded, Lucas would hit a bomb to left field to clear the bases.
Lucas' home run was the second of the season for the senior center fielder.
But just as the game looked to be a blow out the Cowgirls responded in the third inning with a three-run home run by Dominique Padilla.
The Cowgirls had several opportunities to cut the deficit or even the score as the Pack committed four errors in the game. Justine Bosio (Sr., Santa Barbara, Calif.) was able to avoid disaster as she allowed seven hits, while striking out three to improve her record to 10-4 on the season.
Game two saw the Pack jump out to a 3-0 lead on a solo home run by Bosio in the second.
Two more runs would come across the plate as the Cowgirls struggled with errors in the third inning. A single by Sidney Bailey (So., Pueblo, Colo.) would drive in Snyder, before she herself would come around to score on an error by the third basemen.
The Cowgirls would answer back to take the lead with back-to-back RBI singles in the fourth and a two-run home run in the fifth by Shelby Watts.
After finding themselves down late in the game, a big inning was in store for the Pack as they answered in the bottom half of the fifth inning. With runners on second and third and only one out, it allowed the Pack to play small ball to perfection beginning with a bunt by McKenzie Joseph (Sr., Bakersfield, Calif.) that advanced all runners, including the game-tying score.
With one out and the runner on third base, Lucas again performed well in the clutch, hitting the game-winning sacrifice fly to deep center field.
Kelli Henry (So., Monument, Colo.) would earn the victory to improve her record to 10-4 on the season.
The Pack close out the series with New Mexico Highlands Sunday with a pair of doubleheaders beginning at 11 a.m.
