Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 PUEBLO, Colo. (March 16, 2019) - The Colorado State University-Pueblo softball team got back in the win column in a big way Saturday at New Mexico Highlands. The Pack scored the most runs of the season, putting up 16 runs in game one and followed it up with a 2-1 pitcher's dual victory in the nightcap.

Sophomore Marissa Piatt (San Luis Obispo, Calif.) went 4-for-7 at the dish, she finished the day with three extra-base hits and five RBIs.

Gabby Moreno (Jr., Scottsdale, Ariz.) was a tough out all day, going 5-for-8 at the plate. Moreno scored three runs and added three RBIs.

In the pitcher's circle, the ThunderWolves duo of Samantha Riesen (Sr., Independence, Calif.) and Taylor Strupp (Fr., San Tan Valley, Ariz.) held the Cowgirls to a combined .200 batting average and an ERA of 1.50. 

In the series opener, CSU-Pueblo got on the board first after a leadoff walk set up Hailey Hicks (Jr., Meridian, Idaho) to step up and hit her third homerun of the season and put the Pack on top early, 2-0.

New Mexico Highlands cut the lead in half in their at bat and in the top half of the third inning, the Pack erupted for eight runs on eight hits.

The frame was highlighted by Piatt collecting four RBIs. Piatt slugged her third homerun of the year, a two-run blast to center field and would get another at bat in the inning and she hit a two-run double into the gap in left centerfield.

The Pack tallied six singles in the third and built a 10-1 after three innings.

Four more runs would cross the plate for the ThunderWolves in their next at bat. Moreno hit a two-run double and Michaela Burpee (Sr., Union City, Calif.) hit her team-leading fourth homerun of the year, a two-run shot to expand the lead.

The Pack added two more runs in the fifth inning on a pinch-hit two-run double by Jessica Teller (Fr., Firestone, Colo.).

In the circle, Strupp picked up the win, scattering four hits and allowed one earned run and four strikeouts.

The nightcap was a classic pitcher's dual between Riesen and NMHU's Belinda Gonzalez. Riesen allowed five hits and gave up one earned run, she finished with five strikeouts.

Both teams combined for five hits through four innings. NMHU scored first in the home half of the fourth on a solo homerun.

The ThunderWolves took the lead 2-1 in their next at bat, scoring a pair of runs on three singles and a defensive error.

Risen shut the door over the next three innings, allowing just two hits and she stranded three runners in that time.

CSU-Pueblo (3-13, 2-10 RMAC) will finish the series against NMHU Sunday with two more games scheduled at 11 a.m. at NMHU Softball Field.

– 30 –

As a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, Colorado State University – Pueblo competes in 22 varsity sports in NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletics.