SPEARFISH, S.D. – The Black Hills State University softball team (3-12, 2-8 RMAC) picked up a split against the Thunderwolves of Colorado State University Pueblo (6-15, 4-6 RMAC) on Friday, picking up an 11-3 run-rule victory in Game 2 as freshman Laci Peskey picks up her first-career win in the circle as a Yellow Jacket.

FINAL (G2, F/5) | All smiles for taking Game 2 in run-rule fashion 😁

Lee, Pauwels, Wong all drove in 2⃣ runs each in the victory!#ClimbTheHills pic.twitter.com/4OLDv7OV4Q

— Black Hills State Softball (@BHSUSB) March 2, 2024

 
"I'm excited to see Laci get her first win in the circle for us," noted head coach Ashlyn Englehorn. "She has put in a lot of work to gain confidence and experience as a freshman. She will continue to do great things for the program!"
 
GAME 1: CSUP 7, BHSU 3
 
PITCHING DECISIONS:
Win: McKenna James (3-7)
Loss: Shayla Tuschen (2-4)
 
CSU Pueblo struck first with a pair of runs in the top of the first inning. The two sides would go scoreless as the score would remain 2-0 heading into the fourth inning.
 
The first Yellow Jacket hit of the day didn't come until the third inning, but the bats came alive with three hits and scoring three runs in the fourth to take the 3-2 lead. Aggressive base running put pressure on the Thunderwolves defense, which aided in the runs being scored for BHSU.
 
However, the following half inning (T5) CSU Pueblo would put up five runs to take a 7-3 lead, which would hold for the final score.
 
GAME NOTES

• BHSU tallied four stolen bases in the game, led by a pair from Taylor Dowden who brought her season total up to five stolen bases (5-for-5).
• Kayla Lee picked up her fourth double of the season in the effort as she also recorded her third multi-hit game of the season going 2-for-4 with a run scored.
• Dowden and Alyssa Wong both also picked up multi-hit games with two each and now both have two multi-hit games on the season.
• Both pitchers pitched complete games in the series opener.
• For BHSU, Shayla Tuschen (2-4) made her sixth start of the season and picked up five strike outs.

GAME 2: BHSU 11, CSUP 3 (F/5)
 
PITCHING DECISIONS:
Win: Laci Peskey (1-5)
Loss: Lucy Carney (0-2)
 
The two sides traded early runs in the first inning, as Ashlynn Pauwels (Jr., Tallahassee, Fla.) drove in the game tying run with an RBI single to left field with the bases loaded.
 
The second inning saw the Thunderwolves quickly retake the lead on a bases loaded hit-by-pitch (2-1), but then the Yellow Jacket bats came alive in the next two frames as a pair of four-run innings would seal the deal with BHSU going on to take their first run-rule victory of the season. The bats were hot in both the second and third innings as 10 of the team's season-high 15 hits came in those two innings, along with the eight runs that crossed the plate.  
 
In the bottom of the fifth inning, in just her second collegiate at-bat, Peskey (Fr., Waller, Texas) drives in the game-ending run with a sacrifice fly to right field as the Yellow Jackets pick up their first home win of the season via the run-rule, 11-3.
 
GAME NOTES

• Laci Peskey picks up her first collegiate win in the circle this afternoon.
• Malaya Coleman records her first at-bat of the season and picks up her first-career hit.
• The Yellow Jackets notch a new season-high with 15 hits in the run-rule victory.
• BHSU recorded three doubles as a team in Game 2 from Alyssa Wong, Audrey Fouras, and Malia Ogee.
• Kayla Lee recorded the first Yellow Jacket triple of the season in the win.
• Lily Simmons and Wong both pick up their first-career three-hit games, leading the team in hits today.
• Five Jackets record multi-hit games as Ashlynn Pauwels continues to lead the team with her four multi-hit games this season.
• Wong, Lee, and Pauwels all drive in two runs with Pauwels and Wong now leading the team with two multi-RBI games each this season.
• BH had five stolen bases in the win with a game-high two from Lily Simmons.
• Peskey pitched all five innings, struck out three and issued just two free passes in the victory.
• Two of the three wins this season have been with 10+ hits for BH.
• BHSU snaps a five-game losing skid to the Thunderwolves with the win.

Up Next: The Yellow Jackets conclude the home-opening series tomorrow against the Thunderwolves with Game 3 of the series set for 11:00 a.m. tomorrow (March 2) from Yellow Jacket Field as the team celebrates their four seniors in between games.