The NMHU Softball team split their final double header in their four game series against the Thunderwolves of CSU-Pueblo, on 4/7, in Pueblo, Colo. CSU-Pueblo outscored the Cowgirls in game one of the day to take the 9-7 victory. In game two, the Cowgirls'
Erica Wieck pitched a three-hit shutout and the Cowgirls scored five runs to win the final game of the series 5-0. With the split against the Thunderwolves, the Cowgirls, led by Head Coach Shellie Broyles, improve to a 14-16 record in the RMAC and 20-24 in overall play.
Erica Wieck scored first for the Cowgirls in the top of the first inning of game one. She crossed home plate when
Shelby Watts grounded out to short stop. The Thunderwolves took the lead, 2-1, in the bottom of the first with a two-RBI single. CSU-Pueblo scored two more runs in the bottom of the second inning, increasing their lead to 4-1.
The Cowgirls got three runs in the top of the third inning to tie the game up at four apiece.
Brittany Potter got on second base with a double to left-center field, then
Shelby Watts stepped to the plate and hit a two-run homerun over the right-center field wall. With two outs in the top of the third,
Lynette Directo hit a solo homerun over the left-field wall to tie the game up. The Thunderwolves took back the lead in the bottom of the third inning. They got four runs on four hits, including a three-run homerun. After three innings of play the Thunderwolves were on top 8-4.
CSU-Pueblo extended their lead to 9-4 with a run in the bottom of the fourth inning. The Cowgirls closed the gap in the top of the fifth inning. With runners on the corners
Lynette Directo hit a two-RBI triple to right field, scoring
Jenelle Klassen and
Shelby Watts and making the score 9-6. In the top of the sixth inning
Brittany Potter again got on second base with a double and
Shelby Watts drove her in to home with an RBI single to right-center field. The Cowgirls were not able to get any runs in the top of the seventh inning, so the Thunderwolves went on to win game one 9-7.
Jessica Brink (6-6) was credited with the loss in game one for the Cowgirls. She threw a complete six innings from the pitcher's circle and faced 30 batters. Brink allowed nine runs on 13 hits, and struck out four batters.
The Cowgirls' offense recovered from their poor showing against CSU-Pueblo on day one of the four-game series. Although they lost the game, they scored seven runs on 12 hits, with four doubles, one triple, and two homeruns.
Shelby Watts,
Lynette Directo, and
Brittany Potter were the offensive leaders for the Cowgirls in day one. Watts finished the game 3-4 at the plate. She had four RBIs, scored one run, and hit one double and a two-run homerun. Directo was 2-4 from the batter's box. She had three RBIs, scored one run, and hit a triple and a solo homerun. Potter went 2-4 at the plate, with two runs scored and hit two doubles.
Erica Wieck dominated game two from the pitcher's circle for the Cowgirls. She would finish the game throwing a three-hit shutout and provided offense as well. The Cowgirls jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning when
Jenelle Klassen hit a two-RBI single through the right side of the infield, scoring
Erica Wieck and
Devon Paiz. CSU-Pueblo picked up two of their three hits in the second inning, but were unable to convert them into any runs.
Jenelle Klassen increased the Cowgirls' lead to 3-0 in the top of the third inning when
Lynette Directo drove her home with an RBI double to left-center field.
Erica Wieck added another run to the board for the Cowgirls in the top of the fourth inning off of
Brittany Potter's sacrifice fly to center field. The Thunderwolves picked up their last hit of the game in the bottom of the fourth inning. After four innings of play the Cowgirls had the 4-0 lead.
The Cowgirls added one more run to the scoreboard in the top of the fifth inning.
Lynette Directo scored from second base when Kristen Lopez hit an RBI single to center field, giving the Cowgirls the five run lead.
Erica Wieck continued to shutdown the Thunderwolves' offense and after seven innings of play the Cowgirls won game two, 5-0.
Erica Wieck (5-12) pitched a good game for the Cowgirls in game two, earning the win in a three-hit shutout performance. She threw a complete seven innings from the pitcher's circle and faced 29 batters. Wieck struck out two batters and walked three.
The Cowgirls' offense carried over their good performance at the plate in game one in the second game of the day. They scored five runs on 12 hits and hit four doubles.
Jenelle Klassen,
Lynette Directo, and
Erica Wieck were the offensive leaders in game two for the Cowgirls. Klassen was 2-4 at the plate, with two RBIs and a double. Directo finished the game 2-4 from the batter's box, with one RBI, a run scored, and a double. Wieck was 2-3 at the plate with a walk. She scored two runs and hit one double.
The Cowgirls will continue softball action on Wednesday, 4/11, when they host a non-conference double header against Oklahoma Panhandle State University, in Las Vegas, N.M. Game one is scheduled to begin at 2 pm with game two to follow shortly after the completion of game one. If you can't make it out to Brandt Field to watch the Cowgirls in action, you can watch the Live Stats
HERE.
Click
HERE For Complete Game One Stats
Click
HERE For Complete Game Two Stats
GO COWGIRLS!!!
