The softball team earned back-to-back conference sweeps after winning all 4 games against Fort Lewis on March 8 and 9. Their overall record now stands at 16-10 and 10-5 in RMAC.
“It feels amazing [to win back-to-back collegiate sweeps]. I know this team has been working really hard, on and off the field too. Our chemistry is great,” said senior infielder Edyn Lopez. “No matter what, we pick each other up, and really trust each other, so if one or two runs get on the board, we’re confident enough that we can get those runs back.”
Softball wins game 1 (7-2)
In the first inning of game 1 on March 8, UCCS managed to get on the board after a sacrifice fly to center field by sophomore catcher Gianna Pancost that allowed sophomore center fielder Mackenzie Scott to score from third base, 1-0.
In the second, Fort Lewis’ Cali Niccum hit a homerun, briefly tying the score, 1-1. In the bottom of the second, freshman infielder Tayler McCombs got stuck in a pickle after sophomore infielder Laynee Case’s hit was caught by Fort Lewis, but McCombs saved herself by diving back to second. McCombs scored a run after a double to right field from freshman infielder Halley Redd, 2-1.
The Mountain Lions scored 1 run in the third when McCombs scored on a single from sophomore infielder Laynee Case, 3-1.
UCCS dominated the fourth inning when pitcher Kailey Bond struck out the Skyhawks first 2 batters, in the top of the inning and UCCS scored 3 runs in the bottom from Redd, Scott and junior outfielder Bailey Olerich, bringing the score to 7-1.
Fort Lewis’ only managed one run in the 6th inning from Alyssa Fockler, finalizing UCCS’ win at 7-2.
Softball wins game 2 (3-1)
In the second game on March 8, no one scored until the 5th inning when UCCS scored 3 runs, including a homerun from Scott. Fort Lewis’s Emalynn Redmann scored one run in the 7th inning after stealing second and third base, ending the game at 3-1.
Softball wins game 3 (6-1)
UCCS dominated the first inning of the first game on March 9 scoring 6 runs, including a homerun from sophomore infielder Laynee Case which brought McCombs, Pancost and junior catcher Katie Steinmetz home putting the score at 6-0.
Fort Lewis scored one run in the 3rd inning after UCCS’ junior pitcher Autumn Kunze walked Chloe Padilla with bases loaded, allowing Fockler to score and bringing the score to 6-1. Following 3 scoreless innings, the game concluded for a Mountain Lion win before the bottom of the 7th inning.
Softball wins game 4 (9-5)
At the top of the second of game 4 on March 9, Fort Lewis was up 1-0, but UCCS quickly took the lead in the bottom of the second. Redd stole home after Fort Lewis’ second baseman overthrew the ball. Pancost hit to right field, allowing Olerich and sophomore catcher Katelyn Kilgore to score. Fort Lewis’ catcher tried to throw Scott out at third base, but overthrew the ball, allowing her to steal home and score, 4-1
In the bottom of the third, Redd and Lopez hit back-to-back homeruns, 6-3. Fort Lewis switched their pitcher for Haisley Leskinen as a reaction.
Following a homerun from Fort Lewis’ Briana Jorgense in the fourth inning, the score was 6-4 going into the sixth inning. Case fielded a hit from Jorgense and threw it to Redd on second base, who then threw it to McCombs on first for a double-play. UCCS finished the inning with two more runs, making the score 9-5.
Fort Lewis had no runs in the top of the 7th inning, effectively ending the game at 9-5.
The Mountain Lions’ next series is in New Mexico against New Mexico Highlands on March 15 and 16.
Pitcher/utility player #14 Tayler McCombs at bat. Photo by Logan Cole.