Southern Utah comes to town, Rams ready

The Rams’ softball team gets back into action today with a

double-header against Southern Utah (5-5). CSU holds a 23-2

all-time lead in the series against the Thunderbirds coming into

today’s games.

After sweeping three games against Utah State this weekend, head

coach Mary Yori moved into third place on CSU’s all-time wins list

with 80. Yori said she is very satisfied with her coaching staff

and her players this season. And a close connection between player

and coach has helped add to the team’s success.

“We just teach them as best we can, and they go out there and

execute,” Yori said. “It’s just really nice to win games.”

Continuing her impressive start to the season, freshman Brittany

Huerta displayed her multi-dimensional abilities and had another

explosive weekend.

She had three home runs in three games, which included a grand

slam in the fourth inning of Sunday’s 10-1 win. Huerta now leads

the team in home runs with six.

Senior leadership has been key to CSU’s success.

Senior Ricki Walker, through 17 games this season, leads the

team in batting average (.444), on-base percentage (.531) and hits

(24).

“I think that we have great team chemistry this year, which can

only help us,” Walker said.

Another senior that is contributing to the Rams’ dominance is

pitcher Megan Masser. She leads the team in innings pitched (38.1),

appearances (9) and strikeouts with 45. Right now she is on the

injured list with a problem to her right (throwing) arm. She

expects to miss another week but hopes to play over Spring

Break.

Over the weekend the rest of the Rams’ pitchers dominated the

Aggies’ lineup, allowing only four runs in three games. In the

weekend’s first game freshman pitcher Jessica Strickland (5-2)

picked up the win 10-2 in six innings. She only allowed two runs,

both in the first inning, and struck out five batters. Genevieve

Kelly (3-1) struck out 10 batters in her win, allowing only one

run. Sophomore pitcher JayCee Wood (3-1) recorded the win in

Sunday’s game. She only allowed four hits and one run in five

innings of work in the Rams’ victory.

The women return to Rams Field today on what should be a great

day for softball. First pitch is scheduled for noon and Game 2 is

set to follow at 2 p.m.