RANGELY, Colo. - The College of Southern Idaho Softball team scored 30 runs Friday but it wasn't enough for the sweep as the Eagles beat Colorado Northwestern 21-13 before falling to the Spartans 12-9 on a walk-off home run.
CSI pitchers struggled all day. One week after giving up just three walks in four games, the Golden Eagle throwers gave up 16 walks and two hit by pitches in the doubleheader.
It looked like the Golden Eagles might be able to pull out the game two win after they tied the game in the top of the 7th after trailing by three. Golden Eagle Courtney Argyle led off the inning with a hit before CSI posted two quick outs. Haylee Eskelson got the pinch hit single, followed by a two-rbi pinch hit double by Sarah Phillips to pull CSI within one run. CSI scored one more on an error by CNCC's shortstop, tying the game at nine. It looked like the rally would continue as Melanie Groenewegen was hit by pitch. But the umpires saw it differently, calling it a strikeout and giving CNCC its turn to hit.
The Spartans led off the inning with a similar hit by pitch that was deemed a hit by pitch instead of a strikeout. After much discussion, CSI head coach Nick Baumert was tossed. CSI registered two outs before a walk and a home run ended the game.
Game one went back and forth until CSI scored six runs in the fifth and six runs in the sixth to run rule the Spartans.
Erin Emanuel finished the game 3-for-4 with a grand slam, two doubles and five RBI. Nicole Renner was 3-for-4 with two doubles.
CSI, 30-12 overall and 22-8 in conference play, take on CNCC Saturday at noon in a doubleheader.