Softball Swept by Colorado State

FORT COLLINS, Colo. - The Manhattan softball team suffered a pair of losses to Colorado State, losing 9-1 in the first game of the day before dropping the second game of the twin bill, 13-5, during the second day of the Colorado Classic at Ram Field.

GAME ONE – COLORADO STATE 9, MANHATTAN 1 (F/5)

The host Rams struck first in the bottom of the second inning with Nelly Serna driving a hit over the outfield wall for a two-run home run to open the scoring. Later in the stanza, the Rams got an insurance run off an RBI from Sydney Hornbuckle to expand the lead to 3-0. 

With runners on first and second in the top half of the third inning, Annissa Villalobos connected on a pitch from Rams pitcher Reagan Wick to drive in a run, trimming the Jaspers deficit to just two, 3-1. 

Colorado State put the game away for good in the bottom of the fourth, scoring a pair of runs early before Hailey Smith cleared the bases with her first grand slam of the season to make it 9-1 and secure the victory for the Rams in the first game of the doubleheader. 

Peyton Allen knocked in two hits for the Rams while Smith accounted for four of Colorado State's nine RBI in the win. Danielle Serna also added in a pair of RBI during the winning effort. 

Gabrielle Mazzotta led Manhattan with a pair of hits while Villalobos accounted for the lone RBI. 

GAME TWO – COLORADO STATE 13, MANHATTAN 5 (F/5)

The Rams bats did not cool off to start the second game of the twin bill as they erupted for eight runs in the bottom of the first inning with Maya Matsubara accounting for four RBI of her own. 

Colorado State continued to increase their lead during the bottom of the second as a Brooke Bohlender RBI and passed ball from the Jaspers allowed the Rams to expand their lead to double-digits at 10-0. 

Manhattan was able to fight back in the top half of third inning with Maddy Weir singling to drive in Gabriella Mazzotta and get the Jaspers on the board for the first time in the contest.

The Jaspers bats did not cool off as Lindsey Hoag, Annissa Villalobos and Bella Cahueque each hit balls that found the outfield grass to drive in a pair of runs and make it 10-4. 

Down 11-4 entering the fifth inning after the Rams added in a run in the bottom half of the third inning, Weir again had the hot bat, sending the second pitch she saw during the at-bat over the outfield fence in Ram Field for her first home run of the season to cut into the Rams lead and make it 11-5. 

Still, the Jaspers late surge proved too late as Colorado State knocked in two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to lock up the 13-5 victory. 

York and Matsubara each had two hits for the Rams with Matsubara also pacing the squad in RBI with four. In the circle, Daniele Cerna earned the win, going 3.0 inning and allowing six hits and being charged with four runs. 

As for Manhattan, they were paced by a pair of hits from Kristyn Smith and Weir with Weir also knocking in two RBI off a single and her home run. Karissa Spring was charged with the loss, going .2 innings, and allowing five earned runs on three hits. 

UP NEXT: The Jaspers are back in action tomorrow for the final game of the Colorado Classic against Northern Colorado. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. (EST)/12 p.m. local time. 

Follow Us on Social Media: For the latest on the Manhattan College softball program, follow the Jaspers on Twitter @JaspersSoftball and Instagram @Jasperssoftball.