LAKEWOOD, CO – The final regular home series for the Cougars kicked off this weekend against N.M. Highlands University. The two teams battled to a split in the first day of doubleheaders as the Cougars got a much needed win for RMAC tournament seeding.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
GAME ONE
The Cowgirls jumped out to the early lead with a single up the middle in the top of the first inning. The Cougars tied the game in the bottom of the second on a bases loaded walk.
The Cougars roared to life in the third inning as Allie Vanhoveln gave the Cougars the lead with a sac fly to center field, Kiah Parker singled and Sydney Reamer doubled to give the Cougars a 6-1 lead.
The Cougars scored once more in the fourth on a Caitlin McCarthy sac fly and then twice more in the fifth as Parker and Reamer both hit home runs to give the Cougars the mercy rule win, leading by eight or more after five innings.
COUGAR LEADERS: Sydney Reamer led the Cougars with three hits and three RBI. Kiah Parker had three RBI as well. Sami Edwards and Kaelin Morkisch both had two walks.
In the circle Julie Katz pitched the entire game with three strikeouts and allowing three hits.
GAME TWO: A high scoring affair, the Cowgirls struck first once again, scoring twice in the top of the second. Piper Lujan got the Cougars on the board in the bottom of the inning with a solo home run.
Highlands scored three more times in the top of the third to extend the lead to 5-1 as the game looked to be a high scoring affair. The Cougars responded in the bottom of the inning with a Kenzie Middleton hit a two run home run to bring the score to 5-3.
The Cougars took the lead in the bottom of the fourth with a Kiah Parker doubled to left field, Sydney Reamer doubled down the left field line. Kenzie Middleton continued her strong game with the third double of the inning to help the Cougars take the lead 7-5.
The Cowgirls responded quickly, scoring four runs in the top of the fifth to retake the lead 9-7. Sami Edwards closed the gap with a sac fly in the bottom of the fifth inning, before the Cougars tied it in the bottom of the seventh with Parkers second double of the game.
The extra inning was all Cowgirls as they scored two runs in the top of the eighth and the Cougars were not able to respond, falling 11-9.
COUGAR LEADERS: Kenzie Middleton led the team with three hits and three RBI. Kiah Parker and Sydney Reamer had two RBI.
Julie Katz started the game and pitched three innings to start before reentering the game in the fifth inning and finishing the game with 6.2 innings pitched. Katz had three strikeouts.
Sydney Reamer pitched 1.1 innings in relief.
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE:
- Kiah Parker and Allie Vanhoveln both recorded their first starts this season.
- Julie Katz started both games for the cougars in the circle for the first time this season.
- With the win the Cougars secured the three seed in the RMAC tournament.
UP NEXT: The Cougars will travel to Grand Junction where they will compete in the RMAC Softball Tournament. Games will take place Thurs-Sat.
