Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 | Box Score 3 TWIN FALLS - The 14th-ranked College of Southern Idaho Softball team stepped foot on dirt for the first time since before Christmas, losing to Central Arizona 7-6 before beating Arizona Western 11-7 and #15 Eastern Arizona 13-7 Friday in the College of Southern Nevada Tournament.
The Golden Eagles, who have been unable to practice outside due to an unusually snowy winter, struggled early with their defense but were able to put together a solid day at the plate to counter their miscues.
CSI took a 6-5 lead into the bottom of the seventh inning against Central Arizona. Golden Eagle pitcher Stefani Zimmerman recorded a quick out on a pop out to second base. An error put the next hitter on base before Zimmerman posted a strike out for the second out. The error proved costly as Central Arizona went single, double, walk and walk-off single to win the game.
Still CSI had a couple solid performances at the plate. Madi Ford finished 2-for-4, Erin Emanuel was 2-for-4 with a double.
The Golden Eagles improved in all areas in the next two games. A huge highlight was freshman pitcher Kylie Jones. She came into the fourth inning against Arizona Western with CSI leading 7-5 two runners on and one out. After giving up a couple hits that scored one of the inherited runners, she was able to get an out and end the scoring threat with a strikeout. From there on out, she shined. She gave up just one more hit over three innings with three strikeouts and one unearned run to earn the save.
CSI also had a better showing at the plate. Ford finished the game 2-for-2 wth two walks and three stolen bases. Skylar Cook was 2-for-4 with two triples, Haley Hicks finished 2-for-4 with a home run and Melanie Groenewegen was 3-for-5 with two doubles.
Groenewegen carried her hot bat into the third game against Eastern Arizona. The freshman power hitter from British Columbia hit two home runs, including a grand slam and posted seven RBI in the win.
Ford had another solid game, going 3-for-4 with a stolen base and Emanuel was 3-for-4.
Jones, who was out all fall recovering from wrist surgery, came into the game in the fourth inning with the Golden Eagles trailing 5-4, one out and runners on second and third.
After giving up a single to score a runner, she shut down the next two hitters to get CSI out of the inning down 6-4. The Golden Eagles responded with eight runs in the bottom of the fifth to go ahead for good. Jones would give up just one earned run with two strikeouts in the final three innings to earn the win in the circle.
The Golden Eagles play #18 Pima College and El Paso Saturday before returning home.