FORT COLLINS — Colorado State (13-15, 1-2 MW) fell to Saint Mary's (18-10, 8-0 WCC) in a high-scoring contest, 14-13, at Ram Field on Thursday in a nearly four-hour competition.
Colorado State's offense was highlighted by a five-run sixth inning in an attempted comeback, but it was not enough to overcome Saint Mary's, which scored three decisive runs in the seventh inning to put the rally just out of reach for the Rams.
Saint Mary's took an early lead in the first inning with a groundout by Averie Prescott that allowed Camille Lara to score, putting the Gaels ahead 1-0. CSU responded in the second inning as Kaylynn English scored on a single up the middle by Clarissa Castillo, tying the game at 1-1. However, SMC regained the lead with a single by Hannah Ferguson, bringing the score to 2-1 in favor of the Gaels.
In the third inning, Colorado State's Kyra Smith hit an RBI triple, scoring Jailey Wilson and tying the game at 2-2. The fourth inning saw significant scoring from both teams. Saint Mary's capitalized on a fielding error and a two-RBI triple by Ferguson to score five runs, extending its lead to 7-2. The Rams answered with two runs when Lauren Stucky hit a two-RBI single, narrowing the gap to 7-4.
The Gaels added three runs in the fifth inning, including a two-RBI home run by Ferguson, making it 10-4. In the sixth inning, the Rams mounted a rally. Stucky scored on a single by Smith, and subsequent hits by
Bradie Poteet-Herrera and
Abby Edwards brought in more runs. A wild pitch allowed another run to score, and a bases-loaded walk added another, bringing the Rams within two runs at 11-9.
In the seventh inning, Saint Mary's added three more runs, highlighted by a two-RBI single from Prescott, increasing the lead to 14-9. Colorado State rallied in the bottom of the seventh when Smith hit a three-run homer, followed by a solo home run from Edwards, but despite the late surge, the Rams fell short with a final score of 14-13 in favor of the Gaels.
Andrea Jaskowiak started on the mound for CSU, pitching three and a third innings while allowing five hits, six runs, and striking out five batters. Giselle Bentley then entered in relief, pitching two and a thirds innings and giving up seven hits and five runs, with one walk issued.
Karlie Cooledge pitched one inning, surrendering two hits and three runs while striking out two.
Olivia Schmidt made a brief appearance, facing only one batter and issuing a walk.
Edwards recorded two hits, including a home run, contributing two RBI in her three plate appearances. Smith led the team with three hits, driving in five runs and hitting a home run and a triple across five at-bats. Stucky added two RBI and scored twice, drawing two walks in five plate appearances.
Madi Eslinger tallied two hits and reached base twice on walks during her five trips to the plate.
Up Next: The Rams will continue their four-game home stand with game one of a three-game conference series against New Mexico Friday, March 20, at 1 p.m.
