CSU vs USU Game Story
Grace Matej and Giselle Gonzalez’s home runs in back-to-back innings spark the ultimate comeback for the Utah State Aggies in Game 2 of the Bark In The Park Event at Ram Field. Following a dominant Game 1, the Aggies topped the Rams 13-4 during the Bark In The Park event, making for a ruff evening in Fort Collins.
Friday was an action packed afternoon for Mountain West Softball. The Colorado State Rams (12-18) hosted the Utah State Aggies (17-14) to Ram Field for an unexpected double header in Fort Collins, Colorado. The Bark In The Park event, originally scheduled for March 29th, was rescheduled because of Saturday's weather forecast. Bark In The Park is a yearly event for the fans of CSU to bring their furry friends to the ballpark and watch the game with them.
Leading 4-3 to start the 7th inning, the Aggies set to put the pressure on. Starting the inning with Ariel Fifita being walked, followed by an error from Rams' first Basemen, Jailey Wilson. Utah State had two runners on base, looking for anything to give the Aggies more breathing room. Giselle Gonzalez walked up to the plate, striking a three run home-run to put the Aggies 7-3, silencing the crowd. CSU’s Pitcher, Giselle Bentley, was pulled for Delanie Saugstad following the home run.
Starting the sixth-inning, Giselle Bentley had the game in her hands, with four strike-outs and a handful of individual plays to add to that. Beginning the sixth with two consecutive outs to the field, Bentley was looking forward to getting her fifth “K” of the game. As Grace Matej came up to the plate and kicked her feet into the dirt, she swung her bat and the momentum of the game with a one run home-run. Matej’s home-run led the Aggies to a sixth inning comeback, scoring two more runs off of an RBI single from Kaylee Erickson, and another RBI single from Claudia Medina to take the lead 4-3. The Rams had no response in the bottom of the sixth inning, scoring no runs and losing all momentum.
Gonzalez’s home run in the seventh inning was the dagger for the Rams. Scoring six more runs after Gonzalez’s fortunate at-bat. Scoring off of an error from Catcher Carolina Buffaloe, a two run RBI from Tatum Silva, an RBI double for Ariel Fifita, an RBI single from Jaelyn Castro, and a wild pitch by Saugstad.
The Aggies started the bottom of the seventh with two quick outs, but let Lauren Stuckey get on base. Autumn Rutherford sent Lauren Stuckey home on an RBI single to start a seventh inning rally for the Rams. But Rutherford's efforts were short-lived because Pitcher Denay Smith threw her third and final strike out of the game. Securing their second win of the day, winning 13-4.
Although a tough day at the office, CSU has young talent that they look forward to coaching. Kaylynn English went three for four at the plate and a diving catch in the infield early in the game. Lauren Stucky went three for four at the plate with an RBI single and an RBI triple. And Giselle Bentley pitched a good game with 4 strikeouts until being pulled in the seventh-inning.
Utah State had a complete team performance, with two big notable plays that turned the tide for The Aggies. Grace Matej’s home-run in the sixth inning, after starting 0/3 from at the plate. She propelled the momentum for her and her team. She finished the game two of five at the plate with a home run and a double. Matej believed that after her home run “the vibe of the dug-out just changed” and was the spark that the team needed.
Gonzalez’s three run home run took the Aggies momentum to another level, hitting two for five on the day with a three run home run and an RBI single. The Aggies complete team win came from scoring off RBIs from; Ariel Fifita, Kaylee Erickson, Tatum Silva, and Giselle Gonzalez.
“I think we realized we needed to stop being complacent to pull this win out, and that's what happened at the end of the day,” Denay Smith said following the win.
CSUs coach Fisher was quick to comment on the four and a half hour long afternoon and where she thought the Rams went wrong in the sixth inning specifically. Saying “they made all the necessary adjustments, when they have three kids hitting over .400 right now, ya know?.... It’s just kind of a guillotine… When you’re getting through your fourth rotation of the lineup, it is just tough on a Pitcher”. Fisher looks forward to having a Saturday off and getting back to work on Sunday against the Montana Grizzlies. She says she looks forward to correcting their “freshman mistakes” and giving the younger girls on the team more experience on the playing field.
The Rams now sit at 12-20, are 3-6 in conference play and are on a two game losing streak while the Aggies hold a record of 19-14, 4-2 in conference play, and are on a three game winning streak after their 2-0 performance in Fort Collins this weekend. They go into an off weekend, looking forward to “getting revenge” on Weber State on Monday, March 31st.
