LAS VEGAS, N.M. (March 10, 2024) - Colorado State University Pueblo softball sophomore Caitlyn Cole (Merced, Calif.) had a career day and recorded six hits in seven plate appearances and collected 9 RBI and score four runs in the ThunderWolves doubleheader sweep at New Mexico Highlands.

Cole slugged two home runs and three doubles at the plate.

On the day, CSU Pueblo totaled 24 hits in the pair of 9-1 run-rule shortened victories and included ten extra-base hits. 

Madelyn Huerta (So., Azusa, Calif.) also produced offensively and earned five hits and 3 RBI, while Ashley Tosh (Jr., Fremont, Calif.) smacked three hits including two doubles.

In the circle, McKenna James (So., Windsor, Colo.) moves her record to 5-9 after she gave up just two hits and a run in the first game, and Marissa Robertson (So., Rocklin, Calif.) goes to 2-4 on the season and threw a complete game in the nightcap and allowed one run on five hits and four strikeouts.

Game one recap
CSU Pueblo quickly went on the attack to start the day and put up seven runs in two innings. In the first, Emma Case (Fr., Loveland, Colo.) got the offense rolling with an RBI single and was followed by a RBI double from Tosh and another run crossed on a single by Taylor Brower (So., Vacaville, Calif.).

After a 1-2-3 bottom of the first, the Pack offense scored four runs on two hits. The blows came by way of a RBI single by Huerta and a sac bunt from Case and was highlighted by a two-run blast from Cole to put the Pack ahead 7-0.

The duo of Huerta and Cole helped to manufacture two more runs in the fourth with a pair of RBI doubles and extended the lead to 9-0.

In the bottom of the fifth and the last chance for the Cowgirls, the home team was only able to score one run following a double to lead off the inning. James retired the final two batters and left two runners on base to seal the eight-run rule 9-1 victory.

Game two recap
The ThunderWolves went up 1-0 in their first at bat and took advantage of an error on the defense and added to the lead with a three-run homer from Cole in the third inning.

New Mexico Highlands scored their only run of the game in the fourth inning before the Pack went back on offense in the fifth.

In the frame, James slugged a pinch-hit two-run double and extended the lead to 6-1.

During the sixth inning, Case hit a RBI double and Cole singled in two more runs to put the ThunderWolves at the 8-run rule going to the home half of the sixth.

Robertson left two runners on base and induced a pair of ground outs to end the game 9-1 in favor of the Pack.

Up next
CSU Pueblo returns home next week and will host MSU Denver in a four-game RMAC series starting Friday at Noon at Rawlings Sports Complex.