March 5, 2013

Game 21 Colorado State vs. Northern Colorado
Mar. 6, 2013 | Fort Collins, Colo. | 3:30 p.m. MT

Weekly Release

Coming up...
The Rams close a six game home stand, hosting the Northern Colorado Bears for one game at Ram Field on Wednesday afternoon. First pitch has been moved up to 3:30 p.m. MT.

Recapping the Colorado State Classic
The Colorado State Rams started out the tournament with a win against Bradley (5-3). During the game, Ashlie Ortega knocked out a two-run home run. The Rams turned around for another game against Brown with a shutout by Holly Reinke and a 4-0 win. Danielle Wikre hit a solo home run, her fourth of the 2013 season. On the second day, CSU continued play against the University of Nebraska Omaha, falling 3-2 in extra innings. The final day of the tournament consisted of the Rams battling Bradley and recording a 6-5 loss. Ortega knocked a solo shot out, her second home run of the tournament. The Rams played the final game of the tournament against No. 18 ranked Washington, dropping the game with a score of 6-3. During the game, Wikre, Ortega, and Brianna Donahue all knocked out a solo homers. The Rams overall record stands at 8-12.

Colorado State Classic Results
The Rams ended the tournament with a 2-3 record, finishing third in the tourney standings behind Washington (4-0) and Nebraska Omaha (4-1). Bradley finished tied with the Rams at 2-3, but CSU edged the Braves by run differential in the tie breaker. Brown finished tournament play with a 0-5 mark.

Home Run Derby
The Colorado State Classic had more home runs for the Rams' players than any tournament in the 2013 season, tallying seven runs off of their six home runs. Junior Ashlie Ortega hit three home runs, scoring four runs. Ortega now stands at five home runs for 2013. Sophomore Danielle Wikre blasted two solo shots in separate games, posting a total of four home runs so far for the season. Senior Brianna Donahue hit her first one-run home.
Spotlight on Shae Rodriguez
Despite the Rams losses this tournament, Rodriguez was a consistency among uncertain games. Rodriguez ended the tournament 4-of-11 with four hits, one run scored, two doubles, and one triple.

MW Top Ten Spots
The Rams continue leading in the 2013 Mountain West Conference Top Ten Individual standings as of March 3, 2013.

Thanks to the Colorado State Classic, junior shortstop Ashlie Ortega gets a boost in the standings. Ortega moved up to first for number of total bases (47) and with number of assists (50), advanced to second in slugging percentage (.712), posted a tie for second with home runs (5),  ties the rankings for third in RBIs (19), is tied for fourth in runs scored (17), tied for fifth in hits (24), moves up to sixth place for overall batting average (.364), placed ninth for on base percentage (.440),  and is tied for ninth in total plate appearances (75).

Senior pitcher Kacie McCarthy advances to second place for innings pitched (75.1), remains at second place for strikeouts (57), and tied for fourth with wins (5).

Junior outfielder Alysa Greckel fell to sixth with chances (131) and in putouts (124).

Junior catcher Emily Pohl tied for third with twelve walks and placed third for stolen bases (16).

Sophomore infielder Danielle Wikre placed third in slugging percentage (.680) and tied for fourth with four home runs.

Sophomore outfielder Shae Rodriguez ranked second with three triples. 

Freshman pitcher Holly Reinke placed second for number of batters stuck out looking.

Revving Up Play
The Colorado State softball team looks to snap a three game losing streak against Northern Colorado. The Rams are looking to rev up play to carry them to the San Diego Classic II, March 15-17.

Current Trends
The Colorado State Softball team jumps back up after the Colorado State Classic, finishing with a record of 2-3 in Fort Collins, an improvement from the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic where they finished with a record of 0-5. During the Colorado State Classic, the Rams averaged 3.8 runs for a total of 19 boosting their runs scored compared to the 10 runs during Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic. The bats sparked, bringing in 17 RBIs contrasted to the nine in the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic.  In addition, the Rams kept a close eye on the ball, walking 13 times, improving from the seven in Palm Springs.

Defensively the Rams struggled, committing eleven errors in the five games in comparison to the six in the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic.

Rams vs. Bears
The Rams host one game this week at Ram Field against Northern Colorado. Here's a look at the upcoming competition:

Northern Colorado starts the 2013 season with an overall record of 7-10. The Bears' senior outfielder Lindsey. Smith leads the team with a .357 batting average over 56 at bats, has posted 20 hits, brought in 20 RBIs, and knocked out three home runs. Their sophomore pitcher, Kelci Cheney, has posted a 3.16 ERA over 55.1 innings, has a record of 5-2, and has struck out 39.

Looking ahead
The Colorado State softball team will continue play in Sand Diego, Calif. for the San Diego Classic II playing five games against Fairfield, Harvard, Massachusetts, Miami (OH), and Seton Hall on March 15-17.

The team will also play a non-tournament game at Long Beach State on March 19.

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CSU Rams Softball

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