DENVER, Colo.:  Regis softball (2-17, 1-7) earned their first big Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference victory today over Colorado Mesa University as they split the day with the Mavericks.

In the first game, Regis scored first in the second inning off a fielder's choice grounder by sophomore Rachel Illias. 

Mesa put two up in the third to gain the lead and Regis added another in the fifth to even the score.  Senior Shannon Massine and sophomore Taylor Wilcox reached base on singles and junior Alyssa Beskid singled to center field to bring in Massine before the inning closed.

The Mavs crossed two in the sixth, bringing the score to its final at 4-2.

Sophomore Sydney Gaffin struck out two while allowing four runs in her six innings.  Freshman Nicole Hull snagged two strike outs herself in the final inning.

Hull (2-5) sat down six in the second contest after completing all seven innings solo.  The right-hander allowed six hits in 34 batters faced (Game 2).

The Rangers grabbed three runs in the third and one in the fourth to start the game big.  Sophomore Rachel Illias singled to right field.  Massine followed with a single to right of her own and the two were brought around the bases as senior Bre Backlund tripled to left center.  Backlund scored in the next at bat off a sacrifice fly to right field.

On two outs in the second, Illias reached first on a bunt single and advanced to third on a muffed throw to the Mavs first baseman that gave their right fielder some trouble as well.  Massine earned another RBI with a single down the right field line.

Regis earned their final run in the fourth inning on a one-run bomb to right field by Illias. 

With the score 5-1, the game headed into the top of the seventh.  Mesa put up a valiant effort by crossing two on a double to right field, but the Ranger defense kept their composure in the end and shut down their opponents.

RU had 16 hits in both games.  Illias gave a 4-8 performance, crossed the plate three times and earned one RBI herself.  Massine went 3-for-7 with one RBI and two runs and Wilcox and Backlund ripped two hits apiece. 

Backlund earned two RBIs, while crossing home once and walking once.  Wilcox had an RBI for Regis as well.

Pending weather, Regis will play another double header tomorrow, March 9 starting at 11:00 a.m.