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Last Updated: Oct 16th, 2008 - 13:33:17 |
Nobody believed the Metro softball team could accomplish anything in its first season as a team, but Metro head coach Jennifer Fisher and company displayed toughness and character with a strong showing in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament May 2-3 in Golden.
"We just came out and proved people wrong and showed them what Metro softball is about," Metro pitcher Casey Thompson said. "It is our first year, but we could still come out and kick some serious butt."
The Roadrunners earned a three seed in the RMAC tournament after accumulating 32 wins during the regular season. They finished second in the East Division behind the Colorado School of Mines.
They began the tournament on Friday morning at Long Lake Ranch Park and used their mighty bats to carry them to a 13-5 blowout over No. 6 CSU-Pueblo.
Pitcher Jessica Fisher threw a complete, five-inning game, allowing only nine hits and striking out four Thunderwolves. Fisher improved her record to 12-7.
"We've just done so well," Fisher said on taking the first game of the tournament. "No one thought we could do this, and we just proved them all wrong."
Sophomore second baseman Sarah Rusch had one home run in the game, while designated hitter Ashley Johnson powered out two. Rusch was 3-for-4 with four RBI.
"She's just so mentally tough, and she's been that way all season," coach Fisher said. "It's really fun to see her because she's the type of player that she's totally unselfish, and she's fine when other players step up."
In game two of the double elimination tournament, Metro committed four errors in the afternoon contest against No. 7 Nebraska-Kearney, which upset the Roadrunners 6-2.
Metro pitcher Libby Balogh picked up the loss, dropping her record to 9-8.
Metro didn't allow the loss to get them down the following day, crushing No. 4 Mesa State 8-0 at the Colorado School of Mines Field in Golden.
Metro third baseman Jennessa Tesone provided two RBI in the game, helping her team avoid eliminiation.
"We don't want to be out," Tesone said. "We just had to come out, and we had a lot of games to play."
Fisher pitched brilliantly in the game holding the Mavericks to only three hits and forced the mercy rule to take affect for the second time in the tournament.
"She kept them off-balance and was able to keep the ball down and work ahead in the count," coach Fisher said.
The Roadrunners couldn't keep up the intensity, and they lost their final game of the season against No. 2 Adams State 7-5.
Despite the loss, Metro kept their heads up and are already looking forward to next season.
"I'm really excited," Balogh said. "Most of these girls are freshmen. Just think of how well we did with freshmen on the team. I think it will be great."
Metro will be losing only one senior, as Thompson steps off the softball field for the last time. She was emotional after the game.
"It's the last game ever, just depressing and sad," Thompson said trying to hold back the tears. "We had a good year, a good run. I'm very proud of my girls."
Thompson plans to come back next year and be an assistant coach alongside Fisher. She ended her senior year with a 10-2 record and struck out 50 batters.
Tesone earned a spot on the 2008 RMAC Softball All-Tournament Team for her play at third base.
During the regular season, Rusch and Johnson earned second team all-RMAC. Rusch lead her team with a .378 average and 46 runs scored, while Johnson lead with 16 home runs and 61 RBI on the season.
Balogh, Tesone and outfielders Molly Clark and Cari Thompson earned honorable mentions.
"We took 17 young ladies and started a new program and a new tradition at Metro State," coach Fisher said. "I think there's a lot of people in the RMAC that doubted us. These girls never doubted themselves, they believed in themselves. I think it's a great start for us and hopefully great things to come."
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