Paxton Ritchey-CSC Sports Information
PUEBLO, Colo. – Chadron State softball couldn’t get the bats warmed up on a chilly day, falling twice to CSU Pueblo by scores of 16-2 and 2-1 on Monday as the two teams concluded a four-game series.
Combined with a doubleheader split yesterday, the Eagles are now 4-4 overall and 1-3 in RMAC play. With the two victories, the ThunderWolves improve to 4-7 and 3-1.
The Eagles were held to five hits in the first game and six hits in the second. While CSU Pueblo scored early and often to end the opening game of the day in five innings, pitcher Kenzi Garner put up a valiant effort in game two, throwing her second complete game while allowing two runs or less in as many starts this series to get dealt a tough-luck loss in the nightcap.
The Eagles struck for two runs immediately in the top of the first inning of game one. With out, the Eagles received three consecutive singles from J’lyssa Martinez, Lauren Zimmerman and Ashland Baca, with Baca’s hit to right center bringing home Martinez.
Chadron State then executed a first-and-third play that ended with Baca being caught stealing at second but pinch-runner Devyn Thornton scoring from third to make it 2-0. With the bases empty, Angelina Quezada grounded out to end the threat, but CSC had an early lead.
Unfortunately for the Eagles, it didn’t last, as CSU Pueblo roared back with seven runs in the bottom of the first inning. Starting pitcher Tori Haug didn’t record an out, allowing seven runs on four hits and two walks with the Eagle defense contributing as well.
Two freshmen played out the rest of the game in the circle. Belle Akins pitched 3.1 innings, getting out of the first and allowing just one baserunner over the next two frames. Akins ran into trouble in the fourth, however, as Pueblo ignited for another big inning, scoring eight runs to take a 16-2 lead.
Wellington, Colorado’s Destrie Greiman made her collegiate debut in relief of Akins in the fourth. Greiman got the final two outs of the fourth inning, giving up two hits and a walk and allowing three runs, but no earned runs. Greiman struck out the second batter she faced in her appearance.
CSU Pueblo pitching faced the minimum against Chadron State hitters in the top of the fifth, clinching the run-rule victory.
Game two went the full seven innings and was a pitcher’s duel. The game was scoreless through the first four innings until Chadron struck first in the top of the fifth thanks to a one-out RBI single from Aliyah Rothstein that scored Sydney Loyet, who had reached on a fielder’s choice and advanced to third on an error.
Garner didn’t allow a baserunner through the first two innings and did not allow a hit through the first four-and-two-thirds. CSU Pueblo had only one hit through five innings, but the ThunderWolves strung together three in a row with nobody out in the sixth to load the bases, then scored the tying and go-ahead runs on a groundout and sacrifice bunt.
Chadron State is set for its home opener this Saturday and Sunday against New Mexico Highlands, with first pitches at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Sunday. Any potential date, time or location changes due to weather will be communicated online and on chadroneagles.com.