DENVER, Colo.:  Regis softball fell twice today against New Mexico Highlands University.  The first game was an outright battle between the Rangers and Cowgirls, both teams fighting through nine innings and the latter coming out the victor.  In game two, Regis let a few choice hits and five RBIs put them under for the rest of the game, eventually falling 6-4 to end the day in seven innings.

NMHU scored first in game one, putting one run up in the first inning and two more in the second before RU crossed one in the bottom of the inning.

Regis kept inching away in the fourth, starting with a single to right field by freshman Nicole Hull.  Sophomore Keala Bertulfo then was hit by a pitch, moving Hull over and gaining a spot on first.  Cowgirl pitcher then threw a ball her catcher could not quite handle, resulting in a passed ball and the Ranger runners advancing.  Hull scored after the catcher tried to gun her down at third and overthrowing into left field.

Highlands put another run on the board in the fifth to answer, going up 4-2 and remaining that way to the bottom of the seventh inning.

Senior Bre Backlund reached first after being hit by the Cowgirl pitcher and advancing to second on a passed ball.  With two outs, sophomore Rachel Illias brought her around the bases to home on a double to center field.  She then advanced to third on a wild pitch and reached home when junior Shelby Wieman singled to left field, sending the game into extra innings.

Both teams went scoreless in the eighth, but NMHU edged one over on the Rangers in the top of the ninth before shutting the Rangers down to end the game.

Backlund went 2-for-4 at the plate with one RBI and one run.  She also had five putouts and five assists while turning two double plays in the game.

Senior Shannon Massine, Illias, Wieman, Hull and sophomore Brianna Bogdajewicz each had one hit in the game.

Hull started off in the circle for Regis, going strong for two innings before sophomore Sydney Gaffin took over.  Hull allowed five hits and three runs while striking out one in the performance.

Gaffin finished the final seven innings, allowing four hits and two runs in 25 batters faced.

The Cowgirls had a big first inning to start game two as well, starting with five runs on the board in the top of the first.

Regis answered with three of their own and another in the second to bring the score to 5-4 in inning two.  The Rangers had a few opportunities throughout the game, but could not manage another run to tie the game.

Highlands grabbed a run in the fifth to finish the game 6-4 over Regis.

Backlund, Massine, Illias, sophomore Taylor Wilcox, Wieman and junior Sam Talmich each had one hit in game two.  Talmich put two runs on the board for Regis with a choice single to right field.

Gaffin remained in the circle, complete seven innings and allowing 11 hits, while striking out two in the contest.

The two teams will go head-to-head again tomorrow, April 28 in a doubleheader starting at 11:00 a.m.