Lopes fall to Trojans, take three from Cougars
Wednesday, March 22nd
In a Region IX match up, the Runnin' Lopes were unable to hold off the Trojans, losing 17-2 and 7-6. In the first game, a lack of offensive response by LCC and 5 defensive errors made it impossible for the Lopes to outscore Trinidad State. Freshmen Mackenzie Rowlett and Mercedes Salazar had the only RBIs in the game and Lauren Reed received the loss.
The Runnin' Lopes responded the second game, leading 6-0 after the first three innings. Freshman, Larissa Royer hit a two-run homerun in the second inning and sophomore, Kelsee Bushell hit back-to-back homeruns in the second and third innings to contribute to LCC's lead. However, the Lopes were once again unable to stop the Trojans offense, losing on a walk-off double in the bottom of the 7th. Larissa Royer received the loss in the circle, while the Runnin' Lopes defense recorded six errors in the 7-6 loss.
Saturday, March 25th
On the first day of weekend home games, LCC took two from Western Nebraska Community College, winning 8-0 and 11-3. In the first game, the Runnin' Lopes put the Cougars away in six innings as Reed threw her first shutout of the season. Reed allowed only three hits and went 3-for-4 at the plate with a double and an RBI. First baseman Mackenzie Rowlett also went 3-for-4 with a double and three RBIs.
In the second game, the Runnin' Lopes continued their offensive drive and defeated Western Nebraska in only five innings. Royer received the win, allowing only two hits in the contest, while offensively, freshman Shaelyn Bachini recorded three RBIs with a base-clearing double in the bottom of the third inning. Freshmen, Delaney Ramos and Ashleigh Espinoza produced base hits in the bottom of the fifth to contribute to the second win.
Sunday, March 26th-
The Cougars responded in the third game of the series, as LCC fell 13-1 in the first game on Sunday morning. In the box, the Runnin' Lopes bats were quieted, recording only six hits in the game. Freshman catcher Caitlin McCarthy went 2-for-3 at the plate and recorded the lone RBI of the game for LCC. Royer threw the loss for the Lopes and three errors were made by the defense, allowing unearned runs to cross the plate.
In the series finale Sunday afternoon, the Runnin' Lopes were able to produce a 6-1 victory over Western Nebraska. Reed was once again tough in the circle, striking out five and allowing only four hits in seven innings. McCarthy also stayed hot for the Lopes, going 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. Sophomore Mariah Lopez also hit well for the Lopes, going 2-for-3 with an RBI single in the third inning and a solo home run in the fifth.