Denver, Colorado – The Regis University Ranger softball team kicked off Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play and their home opener with a sweep of the New Mexico Highlands Cowgirls (1-9, 0-3 RMAC).  The weather was no factor for the Rangers taking all three games of the tripleheader against the Cowgirls and moving to 8-6 overall and 3-0 in the RMAC. 

In the first game, Highlands got on the scoreboard first but a Nicole Aviles (Phoenix, Arizona) double to left center scored sophomore Carlie Sexton (Littleton, Colorado) to even the score, 1-1.  The next four innings would turn scoreless for both teams until the bottom of the sixth when Aviles reached base on a walk. 

A stolen base from the pinch runner, junior Ashley Prescott (Berthoud, Colorado) put her in a better position to score when freshman Delaney McGinn (Arvada, Colorado) singled to score Prescott and give the Rangers a 2-1 lead heading into the final at bat. 

Ka'uilani Kamai of Highlands singled to left to threaten the chances of a potential tying run but strong defense on the next three batters gave RU the first win of the day. 

In the second game, two and a half scoreless innings made way for Regis to explode in the bottom of the third bringing seven across the plate.  Junior Nicole Hull (Westminster, Colorado) started things off with a solo homerun to be quickly followed by junior Kaci McClure (Huntsville, Arkansas) doubling to left center. 

Freshman Emily John (Beaverton, Oregon) then tallied her second homer of the season blasting one over the fence to score McClure.  Three more singles and a double from senior Taylor Wilcox (El Centro, California) would score four more to lead 7-0.  Highlands would finally see some light scoring one run each in the next three innings but it would not be enough to slow the offensive momentum of the Rangers.

In the bottom of the sixth with bases loaded, McGinn sent one flying for her second home run of the season to tally 4 RBI's on the play to enforce the mercy rule and defeat the Cowgirls 13-3 in six.

In the third game, Highlands got things going early in the top of the first with three hits and three runs, one hit being a two-run homerun to earn their first lead of the day, 3-0.  The Rangers would tally one in the bottom of the first to narrow the gap, 3-1.

Wilcox knocked one deep in the first at bat in the bottom of the second, to bring RU within one, 3-2.

Senior Brianna Bogdajeiwcz (Streamwood, Illinois) used her speed to outrun the throw off a well-placed bunt to reach first.  Smart base running brought Bogdajeiwcz around to third and eventually scoring her when John reached first on a fielding error, tying the score 3-3. 

Another strong third inning would score three more runs off four hits.  The Rangers held the Cowgirls scoreless for the remainder of the game taking the third win of the day 10-3. 

Aviles earned two wins moving her to 7-3 on the season thus far after starting on the mound and pitching games one and three.  She allowed 14 hits and just four runs on the day while striking out eight batters.

Hull took care of business for Regis in the second game earning her first win as a pitcher this season.  She allowed six hits and three runs while striking out three batters.

As a reminder, the games that were originally scheduled for this weekend were moved to today and the Rangers do no play again until Saturday, February 28 and Sunday, February 29 as they travel to Black Hills State (1-5, 0-1 RMAC).  Game times are set for 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. both days.