DURANGO, CO – The Cougars started RMAC play this afternoon, going 1-1, winning the first game 10-2 and falling in the second game 3-2.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
GAME ONE: The first RMAC game of the season Fort Lewis got out to an early lead with a first inning home run. It was all Cougars after that though as they tied it in the bottom of the second on a wild pitch and then scored three more runs in the third inning with a two run home run and a sac fly.
Cougars scored three more runs in the fifth inning, two singles and a sac fly brought the lead to 7-1 for the Cougars.
Fort Lewis scored in the bottom of the fifth but a single run was not enough to threaten the Cougars lead. Adding to the lead in the seventh the Cougars scored three more runs, extending the lead to seven. A quite seventh inning secured the win for Colorado Christian.
COUGAR LEADERS: Piper Lujan had three hits to lead the team, the Middleton twins, Caitlin McCarthy and Stephanie Day also had two hits. Sydney Reamer, Lujan, and McCarthy all had two RBI.
In the circle Jennifer Romero pitched 7.0 innings with eight strikeouts and one walk.
GAME TWO: Both teams stayed scoreless in the first inning, the Cougars struck first in the top of the second with a Caitlin McCarthy single up the middle scoring Kenzie Middleton. Fort Lewis responded in the bottom of the second.
The two teams remained gridlocked throughout the next two innings before Samaria Roope opened the game back up with a solo home run in the top of the fifth to give the Cougars a one run lead with two innings left to go.
Fort Lewis threatened the Cougars lead in the sixth, loading the bases with no outs, Jennifer Romero bailed the Cougars out with a pop up to third and then striking out the next two batters to keep the Cougars in the lead.
After a quick seventh inning for the Cougars the Sky Hawks got their chance again in the bottom of seventh and didn't miss this time, hitting a walk off two run home run to take the win over the Cougars 3-2.
COUGAR LEADERS: Samaria Roope had two hits for the Cougars, Roope and Caitlin McCarthy both had RBI's. Kenzie Middleton added a triple and Roope had a HR.
Julie Katz pitched five innings allowing only one run and walking only one hitter. Jennifer Romero pitched 1.2 innings in relief with three strikeouts.
UP NEXT: The Cougars will play two more games against Fort Lewis on Sunday, February 28. First pitch will be at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
