LAS VEGAS, N.M. – Battling the adversity of Mother Nature with start time push backs, cancelations, and waiting around, the Black Hills State University softball team (10-13, 9-9 RMAC) handled hard well down in New Mexico, leaving with a split against the Cowgirls of New Mexico Highlands University (8-15, 4-14 RMAC). The Game 1 win also set a new program record with their eighth-straight win, topping the seven-game win streak back in the inaugural season of Yellow Jacket softball in 2007.
"I'm very proud of the team and the way they have been playing. I think this team is well equipped to handle adversity and that showed this morning after we had games cancelled and postponed this weekend," noted head coach
Ashlyn Englehorn. "I'm proud of who they continue to be on and off the field and am excited for the future of BH Softball!"
GAME 1: BHSU 10, NMHU 0 (F/5)
PITCHING DECISIONS:
Win: Shayla Tuschen (5-4)
Loss: Maya Milano (5-5)
New Mexico Highlands threatens early, getting a runner to third base in the bottom of the first inning after a lead-off walk. But
Shayla Tuschen (Sr., Sioux Falls, S.D.), making her first start in two weeks, works around the walk and gets out of the inning unscathed with a pair of strike outs and a pop up on the infield.
Using that momentum gained in the bottom of the first, striking for the game's first run the next half inning. Tuschen would start the frame with a lead-off walk.
Audrey Fouras (So., Jackson, Wyo.) would advance Tuschen to third with a line-drive single to left field to put runners on first and third.
Lily Simmons (So., Frederick, Colo.) would drive in the first run of the day with an RBI single herself to make it 1-0 after one inning of play.
Ashlynn Pauwels (Jr., Tallahassee, Fla.) opened up the game with a home run to left field, getting every ounce of the softball for her second home run of the season. At the end of three innings of play, Black Hills State would lead it 3-0.
"Ashlynn came up for us with a huge homerun to get the bats going," said Englehorn. "She's been seeing the ball well and a core piece of our offense."
A massive seven-run fourth inning would be enough to enforce the run rule, as the Yellow Jackets would plate those seven runs on seven hits to extend their lead to 10-0.
Tuschen would continue to be dominant, facing a small jam in the bottom of the fifth inning. The first two Cowgirls would reach to start the inning with back-to-back hits. However, Tuschen would handle the adversity with ease, working around the two hits, with three-straight fly outs to preserve the shutout victory in run-rule fashion.
"Shayla threw dominantly in the circle with another complete game shutout.," commented Englehorn. "She pitched us out of a couple of jams and was very confident in her spins today."
GAME NOTES
- BHSU sets a new season-high with 16 hits in their third run-rule victory of the year.
- Shayla Tuschen picks up her second-career shutout win in the circle today, improving to 5-4 on the season.
- Ashlynn Pauwels goes deep in the third inning for her second long ball of the season.
- In the run-rule victory, six Yellow Jackets recorded multi-hit games.
- Lily Simmons and Taylor Klein both recorded doubles with Klein's pinch hit at-bat in the fifth being the season's best 16th hit of the game.
- Pauwels led the offense going 2-for-4 with her home run and three RBIs.
- Kayla Lee went 3-for-4 with a pair of runs scored.
- The 10 runs ties the second-most runs scored in a game this season and is the third time the Yellow Jackets have scored double-digits this year.
- It also marks the third shutout win this season for Black Hills State.
- Tuschen allowed a season-low four hits in the seven innings pitched and recording three strike outs.
- The win in Game 1 marks just the second true road game win for BH this season.
- SID Steve, who was in attendance, was almost hit by a pair of foul balls in the first game.
GAME 2: NMHU 3, BHSU 0
PITCHING DECISIONS:
Win: Arianna Ramirez (2-8)
Loss: Laci Peskey (4-6)
The bats were "quiet" in the second game of the day, but not because the Yellow Jackets weren't squaring the ball up. Having opportunities with runners on, the Cowgirl defense made plays when they had to and BHSU just could never get "the" hit needed to crack the scoreboard.
The scoring happened early for New Mexico Highlands. A two-RBI double to right center in the second inning would give the Cowgirls the quick 2-0 lead. A RBI single the following inning in the third would plate the final run of the day, giving NMHU the 3-0 lead.
Note: the stat file in Game 2 needs to be corrected and will be sorted out.
GAME NOTES
- BHSU turned their fifth double play of the season in Game 2.
- Lily Simmons and Taylor Dowden both had a stolen base in the effort.
- Laci Peskey and Gianna Haley recorded the lone two Yellow Jacket hits in the second game.
- Despite picking up the loss, Peskey (4-6) had a solid outing, surrendering just the three runs and picking up four punch outs.
Up Next: Black Hills State will return to Yellow Jacket Field next weekend to play host to Colorado Mesa University (19-7, 17-3 RMAC).
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