Saturday, May 17, 1997

Amherst, Mass.-- Colorado State scored two unearned runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to break a scoreless tie en route to a 2-0 victory over Massachusetts in NCAA Softball Regional day two action Saturday afternoon at Totman Field. With the victory, Colorado State (51 -12) advances to the regional championship round on Sunday, May 18 at 11 a.m. (MDT)/1 p.m. (EDT). UMass (34-21-1) falls into the loser's bracket, and will play the winner in game 5 of game 4's Brown versus Boston College later today at 3 p.m. (MDT). The winner of game 5 will advance to take on the Rams in the championship game on Sunday.

Senior Nikki Johnson (33-5) earned the win for the Rams, going the distance and allowing five hits while striking out seven and walking three. Sophomore Danielle Henderson (23-12) was the tough-luck loser for the Minutewomen. Henderson, who took a perfect game into the sixth frame, allowed two unearned runs on three hits while striking out eight and walking one.

Bernadette Lamb led off the Rams' sixth inning by drawing a walk. Michele Johnson laid down a sacrifice bunt which was fielded cleanly by UMass' Sam Cardenas. Cardenas attempted to gun down Lamb at second and her throw was in time, but shortstop Becky George dropped the throw, allowing both runners to reach base safely. After a passed ball advanced the runners to second and third and a Henderson strikeout, Jennifer Buford laced an RBI single to left field to give the Rams the lead. Amber Solano then followed with an RBI infield single to close out the scoring.

UMass had opportunities to score throughout the game, but could not convert, stranding nine runners on base during the game. Junior catcher Kelly Buckley went 2-for-2 to lead the Minutewoman offense. UMass had its shutout streak halted at 79.1 innings with the Rams' two scores in the sixth frame, while Henderson had her personal scoreless streak stopped at 63.2 innings.