The Colorado State Ram’s Softball team finished Saturday’s double header with a mark in both the win and loss columns.
After a dominant performance against Nebraksa-Omaha with a final score of 11-3, CSU was taken down by Idaho State 7-11, ending the Rams’ four game winning streak.
From the start of the first game, the energy in the dugout was very high and obviously carried on to the field. The Rams began with an explosive start against Nebraska-Omaha. The second inning was an exciting one, with Madison Kilcrease scoring with a three-run home-run, and Amber Nelson bringing two runners home with a hit into right field. By the end of the second inning, nine Rams had made it across home plate, providing them with an eight-run lead.
While the energy on offense provided several scoring opportunities, the Rams’ defense also made important contributions to the game. CSU’s pitcher, Holly Reinke, ended the game in five innings, tallying up nine strikeouts on the day to bring her season total to 40 strikeouts.
The rest of the field also made significant contributions towards the win.
“The defense is awesome, they really help me out,” Reinke said.
The only three runs the Rams allowed came from home runs.
“It just shows that they are not going to score unless they earn it,” Reinke added.
While the second game of the day wasn’t lacking in energy, it was lacking in runs scored.
CSU started the game with another quick lead, with Haley Hutton putting the first mark on the scoreboard after reaching home plate with an inside-the-park homerun. The Rams outscored Idaho State 3-2 by the end of the second inning.
The third inning marked the start of a dry spell for the Ram’s with a lull in energy and no runs being scored until the bottom of the sixth inning, after Idaho State had reached a 9-3 lead.
With the Rams’ energy picking up again after a solo homer by Savanah Clark in the sixth inning, the Rams attempted to make a comeback in the final inning. The rally ended after a 3-run homer by Kristina Akiona, marking the last points of the game, leaving the score 11-7 Idaho State.
With the Ram’s taking on Nebraska-Omaha and Idaho State again tomorrow, they hope to pick up two more wins.
“I think we hit ball hard all day, I think we hit the ball hard right at people and we got to keep that going,” CSU coach Jen Fisher said.
Fisher commented on how to take down Idaho State after losing to them.
“We were selective at the plate, but I think we need to jump on that pitcher a little bit earlier,” Fisher said. “We were trying to do too much and not trying to go up the middle.”
