CANYON, Tex. (February 15, 2015) - The Colorado State University-Pueblo softball team's early season woes continued as the losing streak reached five following a doubleheader loss Sunday, the final day of the West Texas A&M Woodward Invitational in Canyon, Tex.
In the first game of the day, CSU-Pueblo committed an unprecedented six errors in the game versus Tarleton State (TX) falling 10-5 to the TexAnns.
Playing a scoreless game through the first two innings, Tarleton St. erupted in the top of the third with six runs crossing the plate before the first out was recorded, the runs coming by way of four extra-base hits.
The Pack cut the deficit 6-3 in half in the bottom of the inning on a two-run double from Moriah Turney (So., SS, Brighton, Colo.) and a sacrafice flyout.
Kelli Henry (Sr., P, Monument, Colo.) was tabbed with the loss, falling to 3-3 in her shortest outing this season, throwing three innings, allowing six runs on eight hits.
CSU-Pueblo scored on another run in the fifth on an RBI-single by designated player Lexie Martindale (So., Pueblo, Colo.).
Yvanna Bejarano (Sr., P, Thatcher, Ariz.) who had come on in relief to begin the fouth, was chased from the game following a walk and two extra-base hits to begin the sixth inning cushioning the Tarleton St. lead 10-4.
Bejarano allowed four runs on four TexAnn hits and three walks in her fourth appearance of the season.
Martindale would become the third pitcher of the game with no outs, ending the sixth after two Pack errors allowed another unearned run to cross the plate.
The ThunderWolves scored a run on a catcher's interference call in the bottom of the seventh, unable to score any further runs after loading the bases with one out.
CSU-Pueblo's six errors was the most this season and highest in over two seasons on the field.
In game two the Pack faced defending national champion West Texas A&M on their turf, falling 4-2 to the No. 1 ranked Buffaloes.
CSU-Pueblo led off with base hits by Jasmine Vogel (Sr., OF, Oceanside, Calif.) and Alexa Snyder (Sr., 2B, Pueblo, Colo.) followed with Dora Hernandez (Jr., OF, Benton City, Wash.) reaching on a fielders choice to load the bases.
The Pack however were unable to capitalize against the experienced Buffaloes, ending the inning with three straight outs in the infield.
An inside-the-park homer by West Texas leadoff hitter Tyler Wilkinson put the Buffs ahead 1-0 following one complete.
The ThunderWolves managed just one hit over the next three innings before a single by Hernandez broke the funk.
A solo homerun in the third and two-run single in the fourth put the lead at 4-0 heading to the seventh and final inning.
A leadoff walk to Turney followed with another walk one batter later set the stage for a two-run single by Sidney Bailey (Sr., OF, Pueblo, Colo.) cutting the lead 4-2 with just one out.
Vogel and Snyder reached on a hit and defensive error respectively, to load the bases with two outs but a called strike three against Hernandez ended the late rally and the game 4-2.
Madison Wolfe (Jr., P, Oxnard, Calif.) did all she could on the mound, throwing a complete game, allowing four runs on eight hits by the explosive WTAMU lineup. Wolfe finished the game with five walks and six strikeouts, falling to 1-2 on the season.
CSU-Pueblo (4-8) finish the weekend with a dismal 1-5 record at the WT Invite. The Pack committed 15 errors and left 47 runners on base throughout the weekend.
The Pack will begin Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play Feb. 21-22 in a pod style series against Chadron State and Western New Mexico. First game is scheduled for Saturday at noon in Silver City, N.M.
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As a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, Colorado State University – Pueblo competes in 22 varsity sports in NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletics.
