Pack avenges losses to Adams, climbs RMAC standings

CSU-Pueblo 11, Adams State 1 (5)
CSU-Pueblo 4, Adams State 2

ALAMOSA, Colo. - It was only two weeks ago that the ThunderWolves' playoff lives looked to be in doubt.  But following Wednesday's doubleheader sweep of Adams State, avenging a pair of ugly losses to the Grizzlies in February, the Pack is solidly the sixth seed in the race for the RMAC playoffs going into the final weekend of the regular season.

The ThunderWolves, who lost 12-5 and 5-1 to the Grizzlies on Feb. 17, returned the favor Wednedsay, posting 11-1 and 4-2 wins in quite dominant fashion.

The double's first game is what broke the back of the Grizzlies, as the Pack was firing on all cylinders.  Behind an absolutely stellar pitching performance by Amber Higby, who gave up only three hits and one run over five innings, the Pack offense had no trouble stepping up.

The ThunderWolves never trailed, putting up two runs without getting a hit in the top of the first after benefitting from one Grizzly error and a pair of wild pitches. 

The rest of the way, the Pack added legitimate runs, one of which coming from junior shortstop Janine Tyler, who broke a slump by reaching on a walk and stealing her 22nd base of the season, setting a school single-season record.

Their biggest inning came in the fourth, putting up seven runs following homers coming from an unlikely source.

A power surge from the bottom of the order, first from Joelle Rofrano then number-nine hitter, Katie Johnson, gave the Pack two quick runs in the inning and set the stage for a hit parade.  11 batters came to the plate in the inning, coming through with five hits.  The big-inning allowed the Pack to get out of the game early, benefitting from the 8-run rule after five innings in an 11-1 win.

The second game was a completely different affair that saw the Pack bats go cold a bit, but still making the plays to get the win.  Behind starter Alyssa Hansen, who pitched a complete game eight-hitter, the Pack hitters got more gifts from Adams State.

The Pack put up their first two runs in similar fashion as the first game, benefitting from an error, a passed ball and a wild pitch to take a 2-1 lead in the third inning. 

In the fourth, the ThunderWolves got hits from their top two hitters, Tyler and Kari Romero, first in the form of an RBI triple by Tyler, then with an RBI single by Romero that gave the Pack a 4-1 lead, setting the stage for the win.

The ThunderWolves' wins gives them their third straight, fifth in six games and seven out of their last ten.  After being tied for the 8th and final playoff spot going into last weekend's series with New Mexico Highlands, the Pack's stock has risen to sixth with a 19-17 conference record and 24-21 overall.  The ThunderWolves are one game behind Adams State at 19-15 and Fort Lewis at 18-14-1.  The highest the Pack can finish is as the fourth seed. 

The Pack's series with Western New Mexico begins Saturday in Silver City, N.M.