PUEBLO, Colo. (February 16, 2017) - The Colorado State University-Pueblo softball team opened its home portion of the schedule Thursday against Colorado Christian, defeating the Cougars 13-9 in game one before falling 15-4 in 5-innings in the nightcap.
Catcher Michaela Burpee (So., Union City, Calif.) went 5-for-7 at the plate in the two games. She belted her third homerun of the year in game one, scored four runs and collected three RBIs.
Valeria Mendoza (Fr., Fountain, Colo.) smacked three hits and plated two runs in the lead-off spot for the Pack.
In game one CSU-Pueblo used two big scoring innings in the first and second to quickly jump to an 8-0 lead after two.
Kennedy Smith (Sr., Fillmore, Calif.) highlighted the first inning on a double with the bases loaded, scoring three runs.
Inning two saw the Pack apply the pressure on CCU. Three hits in the frame combined with a Cougar error added to the lead, 8-0.
The Cougars clawed back in the next half inning, scoring six runs on four hits and one Pack error.
Stepping to the plate to begin the home half of the fourth, Burpee crushed a ball that nearly cleared the scoreboard stretching the lead.
CSU-Pueblo's offense continued to shine in the next inning with four runs crossing the plate on three hits. Moriah Turney (Sr., Brighton, Colo.) connected her lone hit of the contest with the bases loaded, hitting a double to centerfield, scoring all three on base.
Pack pitcher Lexie Martindale (Sr., Pueblo, Colo.) was effective both offensively and in the pitcher's circle as she went 2-for-3 with two runs, one RBI and a walk at the plate.
Martindale was efficient on the mound, tossing her second complete game of the young season, allowing nine runs, one earned, on nine hits by the Cougars and finishing with two strikeouts to improve her record to 3-1.
In the nightcap CCU scored at least two runs in each inning as they jumped to an early 6-0 lead through three innings.
Colorado Christian held the Pack scoreless for much of the game, limiting the home team to two hits through four complete.
CSU-Pueblo's offense awoke in their final at-bat, scoring four runs on four hits in the frame.
Sabrina Felix (Fr., Corona, Calif.) picked up her first hit and RBIs of her collegiate career, hitting a double with the bases loaded, scoring three runs.
CSU-Pueblo (3-3) will play the same Colorado Christian squad Sunday in another nonconference doubleheader. First pitch in Lakewood, Colo. is scheduled for noon.
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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.
