Short a few hands in the pitching staff, the ThunderWolves did their best to reverse their fortunes – all bad – after a sweep at the hands of Fort Lewis Saturday in the series-openers. The ThunderWolves accomplished part of that mission, upending the Skyhawks 4-1 in game one Sunday, but couldn’t manage the split, dropping the late game 8-3.
After a forgettable first day of competition with Fort Lewis Saturday, the first game was an absolute gem in nearly every facet of the game. Facing Fort Lewis pitcher Cary Moone, who torched the ThunderWolves Saturday, was still solid Sunday – the difference was the Pack’s approach. Though Moone still K’d 11 ThunderWolves, the Pack batters didn’t cower, chipping away at Moone and the Skyhawks all day long.
After Fort Lewis went up 1-0 in the third, the Pack showed incredible patience, waiting for Moone to miss her spots and drew back-to-back walks, putting Kari Romero and Ashley Aldrich on first and second with one out.
Catcher Bo Nuanez then responded with an incredible at-bat, fouling off numerous Moone pitches, including a would-be home run that was just five feet left of leftfield foul pole. She eventually put the ball in play resulting in a two-run double she sent to the outfield wall, giving the Pack all they needed to eventually hold on to the win.
The Pack would put up two more runs while pitcher Amber Higby was solid, giving up just seven hits and only allowing one unearned run.
In the second game, though, Higby was sent to the circle again, and was promptly shelled in the first inning, giving up four runs right away and making way for Alyssa Hansen to finish the job. Though Hansen pitched well, only giving up only seven hits in 6-2/3, the ThunderWolves couldn’t climb out of the hole and eventually lost 8-3.
The Pack ends the series winning only one of four and dropping to 17-18 overall and 12-14 in RMAC play.
The Pack will depart for Alamosa next weekend to face UC-Colorado Springs and Colorado Mines for a pair of doubleheaders before heading back to Pueblo April 19 for their last home series of the season against New Mexico Highlands.
