Cottey softball resumes season, winning ways

Saturday, February 27, 2021

The Cottey College softball team went three weeks without playing a game before facing Bellevue University and Langston University on Friday.

Fortunately for the Comets, they still remembered how to win.

Sophomore pitcher Lacy Cruz struck out 15 Bruins in the team’s 3-2 win in the opener before the offense came alive in an 11-1 rout over the Lady Lions in the nightcap — improving the Comets’ record to 4-0.

Cruz, who earned the Association of Independent Institutions’ Softball Pitcher of the Week honors after her season-opening perfect game against the University of Saint Mary way back on Feb. 5, allowed just two hits against Bellevue — two of which were solo home runs. And good thing, too, because Cottey did all of its offensive damage in the first inning.

Sophomore Karina Ramirez opened the game with a single and a steal before fellow sophomore Alyssa Montoya drove her home with a double.

Aryana Palencia, another sophomore, followed that up with a two-run dinger.

The Comets threatened again in the second and fifth innings but ended up stranding three runners.

Cruz was able to strike out some key batters late to seal the nail-biting victory.

“This was a heavyweight fight in game one,” head coach Mark Skapin stated afterward. “Bellevue has some serious power and very good pitching, as well. Anyone can clearly see why they are receiving votes for the top 25 right now.”

The Comets made things a little easier on their coach in game two.

Palencia hit another home run, plus added a two-run single, Ramirez cashed in two walks and a single for three runs and three more steals, and senior Lindsey Boor went 3-for-3 at the plate, including two doubles and two RBIs.

Montoya earned her first win in the circle, shutting out Langston for three innings before handing the ball to reliever Emily Killion, who closed out the last two innings.

Cottey will square off against these same two teams again starting at 11 a.m. on Saturday.

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