Here's a recap of the ladies somewhat successful weekend in Arizona.
Game 1 vs Northern Iowa, loss 1-7
Game was a pitchers battle through 3 with UNI recording the only hit. In 4th, UNI scored twice but one was unearned due to a throwing error by Olea. Both teams then went hitless in the 5th. Then the wheels fell off for Montana. Stensby opened the 6th giving up a double and a walk. Pinkerton then went to Stephenson and she walked her first two batters and then gave up a grand slam allowing 5 runs, 2 of which were Stensby's. Stensby then came back in to retire 3 straight but the damage was done. In the top of the 7th, the Griz made it a little interesting loading the bases with 1out. Stites then got an rbi single but the threat was quickly ended when Olea struck out and Loucostic hit into a fielders choice. Minus the 5 run inning and this is a 2-1 loss against a very good UNI team.
Game 2 vs Illinois State, win 17-6
17 runs, 21hits, nuff said. Both are club records and probably will be for a while. 40% of our hits and 61% of our runs this weekend were scored in this game. Like Pinkerton said, too bad you can't bottle some of that up. Especially since we lost to the same team 4-5 the next day. Stites was awesome all weekend but in this game in particular, she was 4/5 with 2 doubles, 1HR, 3 runs, and 2 rbi. Young was pretty solid through the first four allowing 5 hits and 2 runs. In the 5th, her first four batters faced went walk, double, homer, single. She was then replaced by Stevenson who faced four batters, retiring them all, two of which were strike outs.
Game 3 vs Illinois State, loss 4-5
Stevenson started and was kind of ruffed up. In 3 innings pitched she gave up 4 solo homers. Stensby then came on in relief and allowed 1 run in 4 innings but it was the difference. Montana could only muster 2 hits over the last 3 innings. In the end we gave up one too many homers.
Game 4 vs Memphis, win 4-3
The 5th pitcher in Montana's rotation, Driscoll started strong allowing 0 runs through 2. Then in the third Memphis got a 3 run 2 out rally. Young come on in relief and gave up 0 runs over the last 4.3. Montana got a little help for the win. A 2 out run in 5th to tie came from Martenez reaching first on an E-5, stealing second, tagging to third on a fly ball, and scoring on an rbi single by Breeneis. 2 errors on 2 seperate plays allowed McGill to cross home in the top of 7th for win. Just as easily as the UNI and 2nd Ill St game could have been victories, this game could have as easily been a loss.
Game 5 vs #17 Arizona State, loss 2-9
Stensby started ruff, allowing a single, a bunt single, a walk, a walk, and a sac fly; 2 runs off 2 hits. ASU's lone run in the 4th advanced safely after a Stites throwing error. The Griz first got on the board with a Stites solo homer in the 5th. Stites's 2nd throwing error was far more costly coming with the bases loaded and 2 outs in the 5th. Montana's 6th seen 1st and 2nd with no outs only to follow with back to back so's. They did get an rbi single from Saacke to make it 2-5, ASU. At this point the Griz were out hitting the Sun Devils 8-7. ASU 6th opened it up though. Back to back to back singles with 1 run scored. Stevenson then came in and gave up a 3 run HR to the first batter before recording the final 2 outs. Montana's 7th saw 1st and 3rd with one out but then Olea flied out and Saacke fouled out. The Griz did have at least one base runner every inning. Mostly holding their own against the #17 team in the country was a huge step for this team. In a couple weeks they travel to currently #9 Washington. Two more years and I think this team can compete for NCAA tournament wins.
Stites was the offensive leader this weekend going 10 for 20 with 2 doubles and 2 homers while slugging .900. Her 5 runs paced the team and her 4 rbis were only behind Colburn. Speaking of Colburn, her(.389), Stites(.500), McGill(.389), Brenneis(.368), Olea(.350), and Martenez(.313) all finished the week end over .300 although McGill and Martenez's numbers were a bit padded by the first Ill St game. Martenez also added 3 stolen bases this weekend.
Stensby was the work horse in the circle with Young putting in some good innings. Stensby pitched better then her 0-2 record showed. A 3.89 era over 15 innings, she spread out hits well and limited a lot of possible damage. Young's 5.06 era also isn't indicative of her overall performance. She pitched 8.3 innings giving up 6 but 4 of those came in the 5th inning of the 1st Ill St game where she didn't register an out. Minus that blemish and she has a 1.68 era the rest of the time. Stephenson struggled in 3 of her 4 outings after a successful opening weekend. Sr Reitz may be injured after struggling opening weekend and only pitching 2/3 an inning and walking 3 this weekend.