CCU Softball ended their first weekend of conference play going 2-2 against CSU-Pueblo. Sunday consisted of some great softball by the Cougars winning game one 9-4, and doing well in game two vs CSUP, but losing 9-5. Colorado Christian is now 3-10 overall and 2-2 in conference.
 
Pueblo has been the first to score in all four games this series. In Sunday's opening game they jumped out early and earned two runs off a double in the first inning. Once again they had the Cougars beat initially. CCU waited until the bottom of the third to get points on the board.
 
Hanna Farmer was eager to score, getting the first CCU run by stealing home. Letty Valenzuela also was able to steal third, putting her in scoring position. Valenzuela crossed home plate off an error by the Thunderwolve's short stop. That had the Cougs tied with CSUP 2-2.
 
Stephanie Tatham stepped up to the plate and laced a single down right center field, which allowed Haley Riesenmy to score. The fourth run by blue and gold was off a wild pitch putting first baseman, Jennie Winston over the plate. CCU was now up 4-2 in the top of the fourth.
 
Pueblo retaliated with the first home run of the game to left center, earning two runs and having the game at an equalizer once again (4-4 Top 4th). Las Vegas native, Kristian Billante hit the second home run of the game in the bottom of the fourth for CCU, earning two RBI and putting Charlotte Romero over home plate (score 6-4 CCU). The third home run finished the game for the Cougars which was hit by Letty Valenzuela in the bottom of the sixth, having three RBI running in Charlotte Romero and Hanna Farmer. Game one ended 9-4 in the Cougars favor.
 
Freshman, Hanna Farmer stayed consistent going 2-4, with two runs scored. Second baseman, Charlotte Romero went 3-3, having two runs and bumping her hitting to .356% on the season. Letty Valenzuela was an offensive machine in game one going 2-3, with two runs, and three RBI off a homer. CCU senior Kristina Billante played well all the way around with six putouts, hitting 1-4, with one run, and two RBI off a home run. The blue and gold offense worked like a well-oiled machine in game one.
 
The second game looked a lot different than the first, being down by nine points in the top of the sixth. "We had a crazy weekend," said head coach Daven Bond. "Playing two outstanding games, and then getting beat bad in the other two. I saw a lot of good things happen, and we are heading in the right direction."
 
Colo. Christian was close to losing because of the eight run-rule after five innings, but was able to rally and score two in the bottom of the sixth. Run one was scored off another Kristina Billante homer right down the right field line. Run two was scored by Haley Riesenmy off Stephanie Taham's single hit to center field.
 
The demeanor in the Cougs dugout did not look as though they had lost the game. CCU was going to battle despite being down seven. Cougar pitcher, Tana Feiner (4-5) held the Thunderwolves to nine points in the top of the seventh, giving Christian a chance to win.
 
CCU ended up losing 9-5, but not because lack of effort. They were able to earn three more runs in the bottom of the seventh. Charlotte Romero had a single to center field running in Ryle Halenar. Hanna Farmer scored off another single by Letty Valenzuela, and Romero scored because of a Pueblo fielding error by their short stop. The Thunderwolves got their last out with the next CCU batter, Jennie Winston grounding out to third base.
 
Tana Feiner did a good job on the mound earning the win for game one and then taking the loss on game two. Combined, Feiner pitched 12 innings, giving up 13 hits, 10 runs, and six strike-outs. Freshman pitcher Shelby Diffenderfer made an appearance in game two throwing two innings, giving up three hits, three runs, and striking out two Thunderwolves.
 
"Charlotte Romero and Hannah Farmer were awesome this weekend. I am not sure I have ever experience a weekend like Charlotte had. She hit the ball hard every time, and is one of the most focused, hardworking, young ladies I have ever coached. It's a blast to watch her play! Romero's hard work paid off this weekend. She is going to be a star." –Daven Bond
 
Charlotte Romero went 3-4 in game two, with one run and one RBI. First baseman, Jennie Winston had seven putouts, and Kristina Billante hit her third home run this season going 3-4, with one run, and one RBI.
 
Colorado Christian Softball will be away Feb. 27^th-28^th playing in a POD with Colorado Mesa University and Chadron State College. The games will be held in Grand Junction at the CMU softball fields. Saturday's games will start at 10 AM vs CMU.