Durango, Colorado – The Regis University Ranger softball team split to close out the pod series weekend at Fort Lewis.  The Rangers defeated the Fort Lewis Skyhawks in dominating fashion this morning, 10-1, in the first game of the day.  Playing back-to-back, Regis had a short turnaround before falling to the UC-Colorado Springs Mountains 6-3 in the final game of the series.

After five short innings, RU's 10-1 lead ended the game early while four different players combined for ten RBI's.  Sophomore Carlie Sexton (Littleton, Colorado) led the charge bringing in four RBI's on the day, a team in a single game high thus far this season. 

Sexton got the Rangers on the board in the top of the first off a double to right center.  The Skyhawks (11-16, 9-7 RMAC) only run came in the bottom of the first and Regis continued to hold them scoreless.

On nine combined hits throughout the next four innings, RU would consistently bring runs across the plate to seal the victory.  Junior Nicole Aviles (Phoenix, Arizona) faced just 18 batters on the mound for Regis while posting five strikeouts.  She allowed just three hits and one run to move to 12-3 overall while throwing 44 strikes on 59 pitches.  Savvy base-running by the Rangers allowed for three stolen bases.   

The offensive momentum fell short in the second game falling to UCCS (11-12, 9-9 RMAC).  The Mountain Lions were the first to score in the top half inning bringing three across the plate on two singles.  Junior Nicole Hull (Westminster, Colorado) batted in freshman Emily John (Beaverton, Oregon) in the bottom of the first to bring the score to 3-1.

On one hit and one error in the top of the second, UCCS extended the gap on one unearned run scored, 4-1.  Consistency from Sexton continued throughout the day as she singled to right in the bottom of the third scoring sophomore Bradey King (Loveland, Colorado) who reached on base off a single putting Regis within two, 4-2.

The Rangers final score came in the bottom of the fourth off a John single to score sophomore Alyssa Finger (Las Vegas, Nevada).  The Mountain Lions tallied two more before the game was over to lift them over Regis. 

Hull, the starting pitcher, threw 4.2 innings before Aviles finished out the game.  Hull recorded the loss and the two combined to tally five strikeouts on 37 batters faced.

Although, RU suffered a loss moving them to an overall record of 18-8 and 13-2 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, the Rangers still stand alone atop the league one game ahead of Metro State.

Regis is back on the road next weekend at Colorado Mines on Saturday, March 28 and Sunday, March 29.  First pitch on Saturday is set for 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.; Sunday at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.