CCU Softball opened up their 2017 season in Lubbock, Texas at the Lady Chap Invitational hosted by Lubbock Christian University. The Cougars were dealt a double-header on Friday afternoon that ended in two huge victories against University of Texas-Permian Basin 8-7, and Northwestern Oklahoma State University 9-2.

Game 1

It was a good match-up for the first game of the season. UTPB was competitive and relentless at the plate, but so were the Cougars. They just need a little time in the beginning to get warmed up.

Permian Basin got the action started in the bottom of the second with three hits and three runs. CCU's #8 Kenzie Mattey started pitching for the Cougs but was pulled in bottom four after five walks, three runs, three hits, and three strike-outs.

CCU newcomer #1 Shelby Day had the Cougars first hit of the season with a single up the middle in the third. The Cougs had a chance to get one on the scoreboard here, but fell short as Texas made a clutch double play. The score was 3-0 Texas.

Colorado Christian needed a boost of confidence at the plate, which was exactly what Letty Valenzuela provided as she crushed one over the fence in fourth inning. Valenzuela was first up to the plate and caused a scoring domino effect as Jennie Winston and Hailey Riesenmy both had doubles into left field allowing Haley Anderson and Hailey Riesenmy to score. Christian came back to tie it up at threes.  

 #24 Tana Feiner came into pitch for Christian in the bottom of the fourth. It was ugly on defense for blue and gold as UTPB scored four more runs, one unearned off a fielding errors by the Cougs. Unfortunately, Feiner wasn't able to hold them down and gave up three earned runs. CCU was down 7-3 going into the fifth inning.

Valenzuela continued to be on fire at the plate as she crushed a triple in the fifth inning. She then scored CCU's fourth run off a pop fly. The Cougars were now only down by three runs 7-4. Kelsea Sweeney was now pitching for CCU and did a good job against the Falcon's hitters. Sweeney closed the game and took the win pitching 3.1 innings, with only three hits, and five strike-outs.

UTPB started the scoring off strong, but the Cougars finished it stronger. In the top of the sixth CCU dominated the plate with five hits and four runs. Letty Valenzuela finished the game going 3-4 with two runs and three RBI's. Christian had a total of 12 hits compared to the Falcon's nine, and won by one run 8-7.

Game 2

The Cougars second game against Oklahoma was clean, and almost effortless as the squad stood behind pitcher #20 Sarah Probasco. Probasco gave up five hits and two runs in seven innings. She struck-out six, and had 11 fly outs and four ground outs thanks to her solid change-up.

Blue and gold capitalized off the Ranger's errors in the field. Oklahoma's third baseman and pitching staff struggled with the ball and allowed four unearned runs by the Cougs with five errors total.

The whole Cougar squad played amazing offense and defense against Northwestern, but some stand-outs were once again Letty Valenzuela who had two RBI's, one run, and one hit. Hanna Farmer went 2-2 with two walks and three runs, and then Charlotte Romero had one RBI going 1-3 with two runs. CCU defeated the Falcons 9-2.
 
Head Coach Shanon Hays commented on the day saying:
 
"It was a really good start for our club. We got down early against UTPB, but fought back strong. The win was really blowing in or else we would have hit 6-7 home runs. Kelsey and Sarah both threw really well today, and our defense stabilized in the second game behind Sarah's change-up that kept NWOU at bay. Hopefully we can build on that effort tomorrow."
 
CCU Softball plays Northwestern Oklahoma and Texas-Permian Basin tomorrow at 11:00 and 2:00 PM. See ccucougars.com for live stats/and or video.