PUEBLO, Colo. – The Black Hills State University softball team split the first day of the tripod with Regis and CSU-Pueblo on Friday afternoon. The Yellow Jackets fell to the Rangers, 3-1, before defeating the ThunderWolves, 8-7. The games were played at CSU-Pueblo's campus due to weather in Spearfish.
GAME 1: RU 3, BHSU 1
After two scoreless innings, the Yellow Jackets (5-8, 2-3 RMAC) jumped on the board first, taking a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third. With one out,
Kindall Bethke struck a double to right center to get a runner on for the Green and Gold. Sami Schoen grounded out to the second baseman to move Bethke to third base, before
Maddi Fidler knocked another double to right center to bring in the run.
The Rangers (7-4, 4-1 RMAC) immediately responded with a two-run home run by Morgan Stradley to take a lead in the top of the fourth.
Maddie London caught a runner stealing at second base, to help the Yellow Jackets hold the Rangers in the fifth and sixth innings.
Regis added an insurance run in the top of the seventh to advance to a 3-1 lead. Unable to string together hits, the Yellow Jackets would ultimately fall.
Kindall Bethke finished the game 2-for-3, while Fidler, London, and
Bryce Henricksen each tallied one hit.
Darian Gottfried (0-2) recorded the loss, allowing seven hits and three runs through seven innings.
GAME 2: BHSU 8, CSUP 7
CSU-Pueblo (1-9, 0-6 RMAC) attacked early in the top of the first, with a left center double by Sabrina Felix to jump out to a 1-0 lead. The Yellow Jackets recorded a double play when
Crystal Amaral snagged a line drive in the circle to double-off the runner at first base.
In the bottom of the second inning, a throwing error put runners on second and third for the Yellow Jackets.
Bryce Henricksen hit a single through the right side to drive in a run to tie the game.
Samantha Schoen led off the half inning with a single up the middle, before five straight singles gave the Yellow Jackets the go ahead lead. With bases loaded,
Maddie London drilled a ball into right center for a two-run double, followed by a single from
Kindall Bethke to push the Green and Gold ahead, 7-1.
The ThunderWolves scored in the top of the fourth to bring the score within four, before the Yellow Jackets added an insurance run.
CSU-Pueblo scored four unanswered runs to lead off the final inning, but BHSU was able to hold on to secure an 8-7 victory.
Caitlyn Graves, London, and
Crystal Amaral led the Green and Gold with two hits each, while six other Yellow Jackets recorded a hit.
Crystal Amaral (2-2) recorded the win, allowing 12 hits, seven runs and striking out eight.
Black Hills State will finish the tripod against the ThunderWolves and Rangers on Saturday, March 2. First pitch against CSU-Pueblo is set for 10 a.m., before playing Regis at noon.