PUEBLO, Colo. (February 17, 2025) - The Colorado State University Pueblo softball team finished its opening Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) series and took 3-of-4 in the series against Chadron State, following a doubleheader sweep on Monday at Rawlings Softball Complex.

The ThunderWolves clipped the Eagles 16-2 in the first game and came-from-behind in the series finale with a pair of runs late in a 2-1 Pack victory.

With the series win, the ThunderWolves improve the 4-7 overall and 3-1 in RMAC play. Chadron falls to 4-4 overall and 1-3 in conference play.

In the two games Monday, five players recorded two hits and Cali Cole (Fr., Merced, Calif.) finished with three RBI and Delaney Barela (5th., Pueblo, Colo.) scored three runs and earned two walks for the Pack.

In the circle, Mia Sanchez (Fr., Los Angeles, Calif.) and McKenna James (Jr., Windsor, Colo.) both had effective outings and surrendered two and one runs, respectively.

Game One recap
CSU Pueblo began the day and gave up two runs in the top of the first and responded with seven runs on five hits, highlighted by three back-to-back RBI hits from Caitlyn Cole (Jr., Merced, Calif.), Emma Case (So., Loveland, Colo.) and Isabella Hewitt (Jr., Firestone, Colo.).

The Pack added another run in the second on a SAC fly out from Caitlyn Cole brought the ThunderWolves lead to 8-2.

Sanchez was effective throughout the middle innings and allowed just two hits in the third and fourth innings to get the ThunderWolves back on offense in their half of the fourth.

In the inning, CSU Pueblo erupted for eight runs on five hits and took advantage of two defensive errors. Barela executed a perfect SAC bunt to score a run and later, Darleen Falcon (Jr., Moreno Valley, Calif.) smacked a two-run single to center.

Later in the frame, Tori Cordova (Sr., Pueblo West, Colo.) was hit by pitch with the bases loaded and the next batter, Taylor Brower (Jr., Vacaville, Calif.) earned a walk with the bases still juiced.

The scoring was finished when Cali Cole stepped up and cleared the bases with a double hit to left centerfield and gave the Pack a commanding lead.

In the top of the fifth, Chadron State got the lead off hitter on base and was quickly erased on a smooth double-play started by Sanchez was delivered to Barela at short, who then fired it over to first in time for the second out.

The game ended with a fly out to right.

Sanchez improves to 3-1 on the year.

Game Two recap
The series finale turned into a pitcher's dual between James and CSC's Kenzi Garner. Chadron recorded singles in the second and third before the ThunderWolves got their first base runner in the home half of the third.

The scoreless affair continued into the fifth inning when the Eagles had the first runner score for the 1-0 lead on a infield single.

In the bottom of the fifth, CSU Pueblo loaded the bases with two outs before a ground out ended the threat.

James continued to work strong in the circle and in the sixth, retired the Eagles and kept the ThunderWolves close.

In the bottom of the inning, three straight singles to start the inning gave the Pack hope.

Falcon stepped to the plate and hit a hard ground ball to short and the defender had no choice but to get the out at first and allowed the tying run to score.

The next batter, Cordova laid down a beauty of a bunt and the runner from third charged to the plate and scored the go-ahead run after the SAC bunt ground out.

James went back out in the seventh and retired CSC in order and sealed the 2-1 come-from-behind victory.

James gets her first win of the season and gave up one run and six hits.

On Deck
CSU Pueblo will go on the road next week and play at Black Hills State starting Saturday at Noon in Spearfish, S.D.