GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (March 29, 2025) - The Colorado State University Pueblo softball team began the second half of Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play on the road this week at Colorado Mesa and the ThunderWolves split the first two of a four-game set against the Mavericks on Saturday.

The ThunderWolves dropped a heartbreaker 6-5 (11 inn.) in the series opener and bounced back with a 3-2 victory in the nightcap.

With the split, CSU Pueblo's record moves to 20-13 and 19-7 in RMAC play.

For the day, Caitlyn Cole (Jr., Merced, Calif.) led the ThunderWolves offense and she collected three hits including a two home runs and three RBI.

Additionally, Taylor Brower (Jr., Vacaville, Calif.), Madelyn Huerta (Jr., Azusa, Calif.) and McKenna James (Jr., Windsor, Colo.) each picked up a pair of hits in game one.

In the circle, James pitched game one and tossed 10.1 innings and gave up six runs including five earned and she finished with five strikeouts.

For game two, freshman Mia Sanchez (Los Angeles, Calif.) pitched a complete game and allowed two runs on five hits while striking out three Mavericks.

Game One recap
In the opener, despite striking out a season-high 15 times, the Pack rallied for four runs in the sixth and seventh innings and sent the game into extra innings.

The ThunderWolves got on the board first in the T2 after Cole slugged her team-leading fifth home run of the season, a solo shot to right center for the early lead.

Mesa leveled the score in their half of the third and took advantage of a Pack error.

CMU built a 5-1 lead after scoring four runs over the next two innings before CSU Pueblo worked to claw their way back.

In the sixth, the Pack plated three runs on four hits, highlighted by an RBI double from Huerta and another homer hit by Cole.

Trailing by one entering the seventh, the ThunderWolves were able to get the first two runners on base and back-to-back SAC outs allowed the tying run to score.

In the B7 and knotted at 5-5, James allowed a walk but got out of the inning with a swinging strike out.

For the ThunderWolves in the eighth, a two-out double from James went for not as CMU pitching retired the side.

In extras, James pitched well in the circle and gave up a single in the eighth before getting back on offense.

CSU Pueblo threatened again in the T9 after the two first batters reached safely and CMU pitcher Jessalyn Gallegos once again escaped without giving up the go-ahead run.

James retired the Mavericks in order in B9 and the ThunderWolves went down 1-2-3 in the T10.

In the home half, CMU left a lead-off walk on base before getting sent back out on defense.

In the T11th for CSU Pueblo, they went down in order and set up the bottom half in which CMU earned a one-out walk and three singles in a row allowed the winning run to cross in the 6-5 CMU win.

James drops to 10-6 on the year.

Game Two recap
In the nightcap, the ThunderWolves were limited to three hits and along with aggressive and smart base running, were able to hold on in the one-run contest.

Sanchez was able to limit the potent-lineup from CMU to just two runs on five hits and improve her record to 7-3 on the season. She was effective in hitting her spots throughout the game and induced five ground outs.

The Pack scored the took a 1-0 lead in the second after Caitlyn Cole singled to center field and stole second base and advanced to third on an error. She scored in the next at bat on a double steal from the ThunderWolves.

Despite allowing base runners in every inning except for two, Sanchez did well in keeping a steady mind and went through the strong lineup with little to no issue.

The ThunderWolves jumped ahead 3-0 in the sixth after scoring two more runs on double steal plays that the Mavericks were unable to get the lead runner.

Mesa evened the score in their half of the sixth with a two-run home run before Sanchez got out of the inning with no further damage.

In the the T7, the Pack went down swinging for all three outs before the defense went back onto the diamond to finish.

In their last chance, CMU was able to get the tying run on and the winning run to the plate before Sanchez recorded her third strikeout to end the game 3-2 in favor of the ThunderWolves.

On Deck
The ThunderWolve and Mavericks will finish the series with two more games Sunday starting at 11 a.m. at CMU Softball Field.