Tournament Stings for Softball

The CSM softball team opened up their season in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Desert Stinger Tournament, as their would-be season opening series at UCCS was postponed due to snow the previous week. The Lady Orediggers suffered tough losses throughout the tournament, falling to Cal State San Bernardino 9-0; California Baptist 16-6; Western Washington 13-5; and Texas Woman’s 10-0.

In her first start of her college career, sophomore righty pitcher Kristen Prudhomme took both losses on Friday, allowing a total of 13 earned runs. Freshman Angela Eickelman relieved Prudhomme in both games on Friday, and Senior Jessica Lewis pitched to the final two Cal State batters in her pitching debut at Mines. Mines fielders played errorless softball against Cal State.

Junior Cassie Ford and senior Morgan Anderson provided both hits in the Cal State game, both singles. Mines had a better offensive showing against California Baptist, striking first with two runs in the top of the first inning with a pair of doubles from Cassie Ford and senior Courtney Derus. Derus also hit a three-run homer in the fifth and final inning to make the score 16-6.

Prudhomme started again for the Orediggers on Saturday’s game against Western Washington. She allowed five runs in one inning before being relieved by Lewis, who also gave up five runs. Eikelman also pitched in relief, allowing only one run in 2.2 innings while fanning two. On the offensive side, senior catcher Sami Springer hit a two-run homerun in the bottom of the first, and Cassie Ford followed her by homering again. Ford would end up going 2-for-3, with freshman Paige Noering putting up two hits as well.

The offense was silent against Texas Women’s, however. Ford led the hitting again with two singles, but the Orediggers gave up 10 runs on 7 hits, and committed 4 errors. The loss was given to Eickelman, who gave up 7 earned runs in 1.2 innings. Lewis came out in relief again, giving up two earned runs.

The Orediggers hope to get in the swing of things when they kick off their home schedule next weekend against Southwest Minnesota State.