LAS VEGAS, N.M. (April 18, 2021) - The Colorado State University Pueblo softball team erupted for 21 hits including four homeruns hit by the offense in a doubleheader sweep Sunday at New Mexico Highlands. An eight-run fourth inning in a 12-1 win in the series opener and a seven-run sixth inning in game two propelled the Pack in the wins.

On the day, Alyssa Caulford (Fr., Fullerton, Calif.) and Isabel Griego (Jr., Loveland, Colo.) both recorded four hits including Caulford hitting her second homerun of the season. Griego accounted for three runs and an RBI. Caulford finished with a double and eight total bases.

Pitchers Oakleigh Kearby (Fr., Meridian, Idaho) and Samantha Riesen (Sr., Independence, Calif.) each picked up wins in the circle for the Pack.

In the series opener, CSU Pueblo jumped to a quick 2-0 lead in the first after three walks to start the game led to the first run crossing the plate. The Pack hit a sac fly later in the inning for the second run.

In the next at bat, Hannah Hackney (Jr., Erie, Colo.) led off the inning with a double and would later come around to score on another sac flyout.

Starting the third inning, freshman Katelynn Ralston (Colorado Springs, Colo.) hit her fifth homerun of the season over the right centerfield wall to put the Pack on top 4-0 through three innings.

In the fourth, CSU Pueblo scored eight times and took advantage of three defensive miscues. The inning was highlighted by a two run single by Marissa Piatt (Sr., San Luis Obispo, Calif.) and Caulford's two-run shot with one out.

Kearby finished with a line of five innings tossed and allowed one run, a solo shot in the fourth, and scattered five hits. She ended with four strikeouts.

In game two, Pack starting pitcher Taylor Strupp (Jr., San Tan Valley, Ariz.) allowed five runs on two hits in 0.1 inning pitched. Trailing 5-0, Sophia Lishner (Fr., Gilbert, Ariz.) came on in relief and retired the side.

After a scoreless second inning, and in the bottom half, NMHU scored two more runs and built a 7-0 lead on a passed ball and sac flyout.

Riesen, who started the game as the designated player, entered the pitcher's circle to start the fourth inning.

Another scoreless inning was recorded in the fourth from both teams. In the top of the fifth, Piatt hit a solo homerun with one out to break the goose egg on the scoreboard.

In the sixth, Riesen helped to chip away at the lead and led off the inning with a solo shot over the right field wall and set up a six-hit barrage from the offense. Gabby Moreno (Sr., Scottsdale, Ariz.) and Sabrina Felix (Sr., Corona, Calif.) both hit a RBI single, coupled with a walk to Piatt with the bases loaded and a Riesen sac flyout, provided the go-ahead run for the Pack.

Riesen retired the Cowgirls in order to end the seventh and the game at 8-7 in favor of the ThunderWolves.

CSU Pueblo (15-13, 12-12 RMAC) will wrap the series at Highlands with another doubleheader scheduled Monday starting at 11 a.m. at NMHU Softball Field.