Pitching finds its stride at Mile High Invite

CSU-Pueblo 6, Regis 2
CSU-Pueblo 8, Metro State 4

The lament of the 2008 ThunderWolves softball team has been their inability to hit and pitch.  Saturday, the Pack did both, and to great results.

Returning the favor dealt by Regis and Metro State, which came to the Pack's tournament two weeks ago and thumped the ThunderWolves, CSU-Pueblo downed both squads in the Mile High Invitational, jointly hosted by Regis and Metro, by scores of 6-2 and 8-4, respectively.

The salve that stopped the Pack's bleeding - lights out pitching.

Number-one Kelsey Swanberg, who came into the tourney with an 0-3 record and something to prove, stymied Regis in the first game with a complete-game four-hitter.  Then, against Metro State, wearing the role of designated player, Swanberg went 2-for-4 with 3 RBIs, leading the team.

The Pack's embattled number-two hurler, Alyssa Hansen, who entered Saturday with a 14.54 ERA in two starts, went from rags to riches for the ThunderWolves.  She threw a complete game four-hitter, as well, to lead the Pack to the victory over Metro State.

Offensively, the Pack put together back-to-back 10-plus-hit games in a row for the first time this season, banking on big first innings in each win. 

Against Regis, centerfielder Ashley Aldrich continued her stellar start to 2008, coming through with a three-run shot in the top of the first, which ties her for conference-lead with three dingers, that gave the ThunderWolves a quick 3-0 lead that they never relinquished.

In the Metro win, it was catcher Bo Nuanez, who ejected another three-run jack that gave the Pack an insurmountable 4-0 lead.

The wins resuscitates a flat 1-5 start for the Pack, which improves to 3-5.  The Pack will continue tomorrow at the Mile High Invitational with tilts against Colorado Mines, University of Mary and UC-Colorado Springs.