The Snow College softball team traveled to Twin Falls, Idaho, Monday morning to match up against the No. 19 College of Southern Idaho. After previously being postponed due to the weather, the pair of doubleheaders were set for Monday and Tuesday. Monday's doubleheader would see the Badgers walk away winless as they were defeated 9-0 in the first game and 14-6 in the second. Tuesday, however, would see Snow College take both games as the team won 13-3 and 14-12.
The Badgers journeyed to Twin Falls following a dominant weekend against Colorado Northwestern Community College in Ephraim. Snow College gave CNCC no hope as it cruised to four commanding victories. The Badgers punished the Spartans by winning 21-0 and 24-6 in Thursday's games, and 18-4 and 21-0 in Saturday's games.
Following these matchups, Snow College prepared to face No. 19 CSI Monday afternoon for the teams' first of two doubleheaders. The last meeting between these two squads was played April 9, 2022. This game saw the Badgers win 5-1 at home, which broke a seven game winning streak for the Golden Eagles.
Throughout Monday's first game, CSI maintained consistent offensive pressure which allowed the team to score in nearly every inning. On the other hand, Snow College struggled at the plate, and the team combined for only five hits through six innings. Because of this, the Badgers remained scoreless and ultimately lost 9-0 in six innings. CSI rallied for four home runs in the first game and kicked off Monday's twin bill with a victory.
Although Snow College's hitting would improve in Monday's second game, the Golden Eagle's momentum would carry them to another win. In the first inning, singles from Haddie Hadley, Bailey Bowers, McCall Maxfield, and August Cowan allowed the Badger's to score two early runs. These efforts, however, were beaten by CSI as the squad brought in four runs in the first inning.
Snow College trailed the Golden Eagles 6-2 entering the third inning. Home runs from Kaitlyn Slade and Andrea Sweat would even the game at 6-6 as both hitters brought in an additional runner. Despite this comeback, CSI exploded for seven runs on seven hits in the bottom of the third, and the team took a commanding 13-6 lead. The Badgers were unable to respond and remained scoreless through the next two innings. As the game came to a close, the Golden Eagles claimed a 14-6 win and remained undefeated on Monday.
Despite losing the first two games of the visit, Snow College looked to turn things around in Tuesday's matchups. Tuesday's first game would see the two teams battling back and forth through the first several innings of play, but ultimately the Badgers would pull ahead. Slade and Bowers each cranked home runs in the fourth inning, and Snow College hopped out to a 6-2 lead.
The Badgers continued to extend their lead as they rallied for seven runs in the fifth inning. With the bases loaded, Bowers sent a towering home run to left field for a grand slam. Just three batters later, Sweat sent another home run to left field, bringing in three more runs for Snow College. With these seven runs, the Badgers jumped out to a 10-run lead. The Golden Eagles had no answer for Snow College's impressive hitting, and the Badgers won 13-3 in five innings.
The final game between these two teams would prove to be the most tightly contested of the stretch. Snow College combined for six runs in the first two innings as Bowers and Maxfield added two doubles each, and Tasia Shibuya rocketed a home run to right center. After trailing by four runs, CSI managed to cut the Badger's lead to only one and the fourth inning came to a 7-6 close.
The fifth inning, however, saw Snow College score five runs on just two hits as Maxfield sent a grand slam to center field. In addition, Olivia Spear scored on an error by the shortstop, and the Badgers elevated to a comfortable 12-6 lead. After two Golden Eagle runs, Kaylee Lyman responded with a home run in the sixth inning which brought in two more runs for Snow College.
During the next two frames though, CSI scored four runs while keeping the Badgers scoreless. Despite the Golden Eagle's comeback, it would not be enough as Snow College managed to close out the game with a 14-12 win. Sweat earned the win as she pitched through seven innings and totaled seven strikeouts.
Throughout the visit to Twin Falls, Snow College was led in hitting by Bowers who totaled three doubles and three home runs. Maxfield led the team in RBI's as she brought in a total of eight runners. Kenley Henson and Sweat earned wins for the Badgers from inside the circle as the two combined for twelve strikeouts.
Snow College will now prepare to face No. 16 Salt Lake Community College this weekend in Ephraim. Friday's start times are scheduled for 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. while Saturday's will be at 12:00 and 2:00 p.m. For video streaming and live stat information, visit snowbadgers.com.
