By Sara Biela
Hungry to get back on track, San Jose State softball heads to the Rockies to face fourth-place Colorado State this weekend.
The Spartans (25-14, 9-5 MW) have a tough challenge ahead as they go up against a Rams (23-12, 7-5 MW) pitching staff with a conference-leading 2.81 ERA.
Junior pitcher Bridgette Hutton leads the flock with a 2.74 ERA and 13 complete games in 20 starts.
Behind Hutton is a solid defense. The team ranks 4th in the country with 21 double plays in 35 games.
On offense, the Rams have the third-best batting average in the conference at .312.
Catcher Lauren Buchanan stands on top with a .410 BA, which is ranked fourth in the conference. The junior also has a team-high 28 RBIs.
With CSU’s BA also ranking 24th in the nation, the Rams are familiar with getting on base and producing runs.
The squad rates 21st in on-base percentage at .401 and 27th in scoring as they average almost six runs per game, respectively.
The Spartans will look to ignite the offense after being outscored by Fresno State 19-2 last weekend.
Junior pitcher and first baseman Madison Aurin recorded the only two runs in the series. Her 45 RBIs on the year ranks 23rd in the nation.
CSU holds the all-time series edge at 17-15. SJSU last travelled to Fort Collins in 2016 and took two out of three games.
First pitch on Friday at Ram Field is set for 11 a.m.