DENVER, CO- The Cougars continued play at the South Central regional on Friday as they took on Oklahoma Christian in the winner's bracket. After dropping a close affair 6-5 to the Eagles to move into an afternoon elimination game, CCU responded with a convincing 10-0 victory over St. Mary's (TX) to advance to the final day of play against OC.
GAME ONE VS. OKLAHOMA CHRISTIAN
The Eagles bats started out hot as they plated a run in the first and two more in the second for the early 3-0 advantage.
Kat Hanson singled home the first run of the game for her team, plating
Sarah Dollerschell to cut into the deficit 3-1.
Oklahoma Christian got the run back in their half of the third to restore a three run lead, but CCU once again trimmed the lead to two as
Felesha LePenske singled in Addie Walden in the sixth. Two runs from OC put them in control 6-2, but the Cougars did not go down without a fight.
Looking to mount a comeback in the seventh, CCU were forced into two outs quickly before the top of the lineup came up to bat. Hanson singled before
Elyse McMullin walked to bring up
Arriana Wright. The senior came up huge, smashing a three-run homer to left center field to bring her team within one run at 6-5. Unfortunately the rally came up just short as CCU could not keep the game going and dropped a close one 6-5.
LePenske tossed 5.1 innings while
Hanna Espinoza closed the final 0.2. Wright made history with her seventh inning blast, notching her 19th homer of the season to break the single season program record at CCU that was previously held by Assistant Coach
Kenzie Liberty.
GAME TWO VS. ST. MARY'S (TX)
Facing elimination in the final game of the day, the Cougars came out determined and on fire. Hanson doubled to start the game, and after Wright drew a walk, LePenske blasted a three-run homer to left center field to give her team the quick 3-0 lead.
Leah Garcia and
Maya Schroeder kept the line moving with back-to-back singles, and
Peyton Marvel singled home another run to make it 4-0. Dollerschell capped the inning as she smashed a two-run double to right center to put the icing on a six-run inning.
After chasing the Rattlers pitcher after just 0.1 innings pitched, their reliever was strong for the majority of the game as she tossed 6.0 innings in relief that included 5.0 scoreless frames. McMullin was equally as strong in the circle, limiting STMU all game long.
Taking a no-hitter into the fourth, the junior walked just one batter while scattering five hits to claim the win. The Cougars provided even more run support in the seventh with an RBI single from lePenske and a sac fly from Garcia. Marvel doubled home two more for the 10-0 lead, and McMullin ended the game with her lone strikeout of the game to slam the door on the Rattlers and send her team to the Regional final.
McMullin threw 92 pitches in the complete game victory, shutting out St. Mary's for her 12th win of the season. LePenske provided power and production with a 2-4 day at the plate with two runs scored and 4 RBI.
The Cougars advance to face Oklahoma Christian on May 16 at 12 p.m. MDT on the final day of the Regional. CCU will need to win game one to force an if necessary game two at 2:30 p.m. to move on to Super Regionals for the first time in program history.
