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Last Updated: Oct 16th, 2008 - 13:33:17 |
Metro's softball team closed out their first regular season with a series sweep of Chadron State on April 27 in Nebraska.
After a rough start to the season when the wins were hard to come by, the Roadrunners finished the year winning nine of their last 10 games. This included the three wins against the Eagles where Metro outscored their opponent 29-13.
"We just came together more as a team," Metro starting pitcher Casey Thompson said. "We actually strung hits together to score runs."
The Roadrunners had to rally from four runs down in what turned out to be the longest game of the season. Trailing 7-4 heading into the final inning, Metro scored six runs in the seventh and four more in the extra inning to take the three-hour marathon by a score of 13-11.
Chadron pitcher Casey Williams kept the 'Runners off balance in the first six innings holding the 'Runners to only four hits. However, Metro's batters figured things out and exploded for eight runs and nine walks on Williams.
"It took us a few innings to get used to that pitcher," coach Fisher said. "She led the conference in strikeouts, but we were patient and drew some walks late in the game. I think once we had seen her for that one game we adjusted pretty well in the next two games."
Pitcher Libby Balogh pitched a complete eight inning game and earned her ninth victory of the season.
Third baseman Jennessa Tesone was key in the win going 2-for-3 with two RBI including her ninth home run in the third that put Metro on the scoreboard.
"She was just phenomenal," coach Fisher said on Tesone's performance. "That home run she hit in the first game was really big because it showed the rest of the team if we can act, we can go."
Metro pitcher Jessica Fisher pitched a gem in game two. The starting pitcher went the distance allowing just four hits and one run improving her record to 11-7. Tesone and catcher Nicole Lyles both had two RBI to help their team to a 6-1 victory.
Metro has established they can force the mercy rule on anybody, as they trounced the Eagles 10-2 in the final game of the series.
Metro pitcher Casey Thompson won her eighth consecutive game, only allowing six hits and one run. Thompson pitched a complete six-inning game, improving her record to 10-2.
"She's really a team player," coach Fisher said on her senior pitcher's performance. "She's really focused on what she needs to do, and she's ready if we need her in relief."
Metro recorded four home runs in the game from Tesone, left fielder Danni Hedstrom, first baseman Caitlin Jenks and center fielder Molly Clark.
Tesone finished the weekend 5-for-9 with four RBI and two home runs.
The Roadrunners finish their first regular season with a 30-16 overall record and 26-11 in the conference, which places them in third place, one win behind Colorado School of Mines in the East Division.
The Orediggers will host the conference tournament May 1-3, and the Roadrunners will face off against CSU-Pueblo at 9 a.m. May 1 at Long Lake Ranch Park. The two teams have met six times this season with the series tied at three.
"When we played them last time, we were just in a streak where we dropped the first game and would win the second game," Thompson said. "Now that we actually improved and we're sweeping teams, it's being just mentally prepared and being mentally tough and knowing that we are able to hit the ball better than anybody."
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