SPEARFISH, S.D. – Despite dropping a run-rule game in the first game today, the Black Hills State University softball team (12-31, 11-27 RMAC) showed some fight and once again battle the No. 7-ranked Colorado Christian Cougars (45-4, 37-3 RMAC) in the second game with their comeback falling just short to conclude the home slate for the 2024 season. Laci Peskey becomes the fifth Yellow Jacket to start 20+ games in the circle, getting the nod in both games today.
GAME 3: (7) CCU 12, BHSU 2 (F/5)
PITCHING DECISIONS:
Win: Kaila Eastburn (15-1)
Loss: Laci Peskey (5-13)
The Cougars took control of Game 1 early, holding a 7-0 lead after three innings. Black Hills State struggled to get the bats going against Cougar starter Kaila Eastburn, as Tyler Whitlock (Jr., Erie, Colo.) would put the first hit on the board with a double in the fourth inning.
Trailing 12-0 after five and a half innings, BHSU put a pair of runs up in the fifth inning to avoid the shutout as Shayla Tuschen (Sr., Sioux Falls, S.D.) doubled down the left field line to score Gianna Haley (Gr., Arvada, Colo.). With the bases loaded, Whitlock would be plunked a pitch to score the second run.
However, the Cougars would take the 12-2 win in five innings to secure the series victory.
GAME 4: (7) CCU 9, BHSU 5
PITCHING DECISIONS:
Win: Emma Duncan (16-1)
Loss: Laci Peskey (5-14)
The series finale proved to be a pitcher’s duel through four innings, as each starter held each offense scoreless.
Taylor Dowden (Jr., Surprise, Ariz.) would tally the first BHSU hit in the third inning, but it would Colorado Christian who would strike with the first run in the fifth inning. The Cougars would put three runs on the scoreboard in each of the final three innings.
Taking a 6-0 lead heading to the bottom of the sixth inning, the Yellow Jackets would show some fight putting up five runs of their own to make it 6-5 heading into the final frame. With runners on second and third, Ashlynn Pauwels (Jr., Tallahassee, Fla.) would drive in the first Yellow Jacket runs of Game 4 with a triple to center field, her second of the season.
Haley would continue the hit parade – the third of the inning – to score Pauwels to make it 6-3. Audrey Fouras (So., Jackson, Wyo.), with an 0-2 count, would go deep down the left field line for her sixth long ball of the season as the Yellow Jackets would pull to within just one run. Alyssa Wong (R-Fr., San Antonio, Texas) would reach with a single of her own, followed by an Adreanna Lance (Jr., Aurora, Colo.) walk with both moving into scoring position on a passed ball, but BH would not be able to push anymore runs across in the inning.
Colorado Christian would put up three more insurance runs in the top half of the seventh which proved to be enough, as they would complete the sweep with a 9-5 Game 4 victory.
