Rams look to continue hot streak at New Mexico

Colorado State Rams (20-4, 3-0 MW) at New Mexico Lobos (8-18, 1-2 MW)
March 22-24 | Lobo Softball Field | Albuquerque, N.M.
Live Stats | Watch | CSU Notes | NM Notes

THE WEEKEND
Colorado State will carry its 11-game win streak and look to continue its hot start to Mountain West Conference action this weekend, heading to New Mexico for a three-game series starting Friday night. The Rams will play Friday at 6 p.m., MT before playing Saturday at 4 p.m., MT and Sunday at 12 p.m., MT.

#25STRONG
During the 2019 season, the Colorado State softball team will continuously recognize it being #25Strong, referring to 25 years since being reinstated as a sport at Colorado State. The Rams' softball program began in 1976, but did not compete during the 1993 season due to the program being cut at the end of the 1992 season. Colorado State reinstated the softball program and competed in 1994.

STRONG START
Colorado State will look to continue its strong start to the season as it has recorded nine shutouts and is outscoring its opponents, 174-55. In 2018, the Rams totaled six shutouts all season after posting their best start – winning the first seven games – since the 1997 season.

QUICK WINS
The Rams have eight wins so far this season by the run-rule, including the first-ever victory over Fresno State last weekend, 12-4 in six innings. Colorado State recorded seven run-rule wins in all of 2018. CSU's eight run-rule victories this season matches the 2004 season tally.

LAST TIME OUT
Colorado State began Mountain West Conference action last weekend hosting Fresno State and made it a history one. The Rams swept Fresno State for the first time in program history, while also recording their first run-rule win in game two, 12-4 in six innings.
CSU started conference play, 3-0 for the first time since 2013 when they swept UNLV. The Rams beat the Bulldogs, 8-4, 12-4 (6) and 11-5.

CONFERENCE OPENING RECORDS
The Rams are now 15-27 all-time in conference openers, including 7-8 at home. Colorado State has started Mountain West Conference action at Ram Field the last four seasons, including an opening win against Nevada in 2018 - which also snapped a four-game skid in league openers.

NO-NO
Senior ace Bridgette Hutton hurled her first-career no-hitter in the dominating victory over Idaho State on Feb. 28. She allowed just three base-runners - all on walks - while not allowing a hit in the five inning victory on her way to recording her fourth win of the season.

GET ON BASE
Multiple Rams have gotten on base this year, led by Corina Gamboa who had an 18-game streak of getting on base. Currently, Danni Klein and Amber Nelson carry an 11-game on-base streaks into the New Mexico series. Haley Donaldson follows with a 10-game mark.

CONFERENCE AWARDS
Colorado State has dominated the Mountain West weekly softball awards as it has garnished five so far this season, including four-consecutive Player of the Week honors. Corina Gamboa earned her first weekly award this week as she was named the MW Player of the Week for her performances last weekend. The Rams' five awards is tied for second most in a season while a part of the Mountain West Conference (2004).

Feb. 26 - Ashley Ruiz & Jessica Jarecki
Mar. 5 - Lauren Buchanan
Mar. 12 - Amber Nelson
Mar. 18 - Corina Gamboa

LEADING THE NATION
After the first week of the conference schedule, Colorado State still leads the nation in doubles per game with a 2.33 average - a .28 difference to second-place Illinois. The Rams have record 56 doubles so far this season, which tie with Georgia Tech (ACC) and just behind Pac-12 Arizona State (58) and Big 12 program Texas with 60.

NATIONAL STATS
Besides leading the country in doubles per game, Colorado State also ranks highly in a few categories. The Rams rank 10th in scoring with 7.25 runs per game, led by Danni Klein who is No. 4 in runs per game with a 1.29 mark. CSU also is 11th in slugging, led by Amber Nelson who is smashing a .743 tally, which is No. 82 in the country. Colorado State also sits at No. 15 in batting average with a .331 as Nelson leads the squad with a .400 average.

SHARE THE LOVE
Colorado State's roster is loaded across the lineup as every batter with 60-plus at bats is hitting over .275 and has at least one home run. Seven of the Rams' starting nine batters are hitting over .300 and slugging over .550.

OPPONENT SCOUT
Lobos: New Mexico posted a 1-2 record against San Diego State last weekend in its Mountain West opening weekend. The Lobos are 8-18 overall key wins over Oregon State and suffering two 1-0 losses to then-ranked No. 7 Alabama and then-ranked No. 3 Florida.

TOP-25 RANKING
For the first time by Softball America, Colorado State entered its poll at No. 25 in this week rankings. The Rams are also receiving six votes in the USA Today/NFCA Coaches Poll.

BLASTING GRAND SLAMS
Corina Gamboa has hit just three home runs so far this season after hitting eight in 2018. But, she is making them count as two of the three have been grand slams. The junior hit her first slam of the season against Pacific on Feb. 25 before knocking her second against Fresno State on March 16 - both ended in a run-rule victory.

DEALIN'
Junior transfer Jessica Jarecki (8-1) has been dealing from the circle so far this season as she has eight complete games (all wins), including four shutouts so far - No. 12 in the country. She also leads the Mountain West and is No. 99 in the nation holding a 1.46 ERA. She leads the pitching staff with 44 strikeouts - nearly half of the team total - and has walked just 17 batters.

TOUGH AT THE PLATE
The Rams are seeing the ball well at the plate, as they rank 15th in the nation in batting average with a .331 and No. 27 in the nation in home runs per game with 1.21. CSU also is 11th in the country in slugging with a .586 mark.

HITTING STREAKS
Both Ashley Michelena and Danni Klein hold the longest hitting streak for the Rams with nine games. Amber Nelson, Corina Gamboa and Tara Shadowen carry a three-game streak into New Mexico after recording hits in every game against Fresno State last weekend.

DIGGING FOR TWO... OR MORE
Colorado State is already swinging a big bat as it has recorded a MW-high 93 extra-base hits in its first 24 games. Amber Nelson and Corina Gamboa led with 13, followed by Danni Klein with 12.

#25Strong

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