DENVER, Colo.:  Despite the bitter cold, the Rangers' bats were hot today as they took two away from the Skyhawks of Fort Lewis College, advancing themselves to 5-20 overall and 4-10 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.

Regis put up 13 hits in the first game and 11 in the second to outscore the Skyhawks 18-8 on the day.

The Rangers jumped early, crossing five runs in the first and one in the second inning to go up 6-0 over the Skyhawks to start the series. 

Sophomore Rachel Illias started things off with a double to left field in the first Ranger at bat of the game.  Senior Shannon Massine singled up the middle to score Illias and senior Bre Backlund picked up a single up the middle herself. 

Sophomore Taylor Wilcox crossed Massine on a groundout to the second baseman and junior Shebly Wieman picked up two RBIs after ripping a single to right field.  Sophomore Brianna Bogdajewicz sent a single to the shortstop to score junior Sam Talmich for the last Regis run of the inning.

In the second, Wilcox singled down the left field line to score Backlund. 

FLC answered in the third with three runs of their own, but Regis was quick to put up another run on the board in both the fourth and fifth innings. 

In the fourth, Illias started things off with another double deep into center field and was brought in on a single to the shortstop by Wilcox.  In the fifth, Bogdajewicz crossed home plate after Illias hit a hard single to the pitcher that bounced off her glove and out of the Skyhawk's shortstop's reach.

Fort Lewis brought around three in the fifth inning to bring the score to its final of the game at 8-6.

Freshman Nicole Hull (3-7) earned the win after slinging 4.1 innings, striking out one and allowing six runs in 25 batters faced.  Fellow freshman right-hander Rachelle Knudson picked up her first save of the 2013 season after going strong for 2.2 innings, allowing only one walk and one hit in 13 batters faced.

Sophomore Ranger Sydney Gaffin (2-11) pitched the second game, allowing only four hits in her fourth complete game of the season.  The right-hander struck out two and allowed two runs in 22 batters.

RUs offense jumped early again, plating one in the first, three in the third and one in the fourth before the Skyhawks could put a run on the board.

Massine started things off with a double to left field and advanced to third on a wild pitch in the next play.  She crossed home on a groundout to second base by Backlund. 

In the third, Massine started things off again, reaching on a throwing error by the FLC second baseman.  Backlund picked up another RBI on a big double to left center and crossed the plate herself on a single up the middle by Wilcox.  In the next play, Hull would reach on a fielder's choice ball that resulted in Wilcox heading back to the dugout.  Talmich was not ready to turn the inning however as she lined a double to center field to score Hull.

RU kept things going in the next inning, starting with a single to right field by freshman Ashley Prescott.  She scored on a groundout to the shortstop by Illias.

FLC put two runs on the board in the fifth so RU headed into the bottom of the fifth inning looking to score big.

With the Rangers putting five runs on the board to end the game, a big inning it certainly was.

Wilcox got things going with a single through the left side.  Hull then doubled down the left field line and Talmich reached on a fielding error by the shortstop, scoring Wilcox.  Next, sophomore Beth Petersen ripped a double to right center causing Hull to score and the Skyhawks to make a pitching change.

Off the new pitcher, Prescott walked, the Illias singled to center field to score both Talmich and Petersen.  A wild pitch moves the runners over and still with oen out, Massine steps up to the plate with the winning run on third.  Massine puts a single down towards third base to score Prescott and end the game in five.

Six Rangers had two or more RBIs on the day, Illias (4), Wilcox (4), Massine (2), Backlund (2), Hull (2) and Talmich (2).

Illias and Wilcox had four hits apiece as well, Illias with two doubles and Wilcox with one stole base on the day.

Massine, Backlund and Hull had three hits to their name.  Massine with three runs, one double and one stolen base, Backlund with three runs, one double and two stolen bases and Hull with three runs, two doubles and two walks in the doubleheader.

Other big performances came from Talmich and Bogdajewicz who each had two hits.  Talmich crossed home twice and picked up a walk while Bogdajewicz legged out a stolen base and earned one RBI.

Pending weather, Regis will play Fort Lewis again tomorrow, Mar. 23 beginning at 12:00 p.m.  The second game will begin at approximately 2:00 p.m.