LAKEWOOD, CO- Colorado Christian began their RMAC Tournament title defense at home on Friday as they took on the #5 seed UCCS. With a bye into the semifinal round as the #1 seed, the Cougars took care of business for their fifth win of the season against the Mountain Lions, downing a worthy opponent in UCCS by a final score of 6-3 to advance to tomorrow's title game.
The offense got right to work in the bottom of the first, loading the bases with a pair of walks and an
Elyse McMullin single. A scary moment ensued as pitcher
Felesha LePenske was hit on her throwing hand by a pitch inside. The sophomore showed her toughness and remained in the game with an RBI hit by pitch for the 1-0 lead.
Leah Garcia picked up an RBI sac fly to make it 2-0, and
Peyton Marvel notched an RBI fielder's choice to end the first with CCU up 3-0.
The Mountain Lions drew closer with a two-run homer in the third, but an immediate response from the hosts made it 4-2 on an RBI single from Marvel. A fifth inning run from UCCS brought them back to within a run at 4-3 before the final blow was dealt by CCU. Garcia stepped into the batter's box in the fifth and delivered a signature moment, blasting a ball to the deepest part of the park in center field for a two-run homer and the 6-3 lead. That lead would not be relinquished as the Cougars closed out a 6-3 victory and booked their spot in the title game for the 6th straight year.
LePenske picked up her 22nd win of the season with the complete game victory, hurling 91 pitches with a pair of strikeouts and just three runs allowed. It was Garcia who led the charge offensively with three RBI including her back breaking two-run homer, and Marvel picked up two RBI for her team.
CCU will take on the #2 seed CSU Pueblo in the RMAC Tournament Title game tomorrow, May 9 at 12 p.m. MDT at All Star Park. The Cougars will be looking to win back-to-back RMAC Tournament titles for the second time in their program history and claim their fourth title in the last five seasons.
