Golden, Colorado – The Regis University Ranger softball team split in the first day of competition at the Colorado School of Mines Orediggers (5-26, 3-14 RMAC).  Struggling a bit offensively, the Rangers fell 6-4 in the first game but regrouped and took care of business in the second game to enforce the mercy rule after five innings shutting out the home team 12-0.  RU moves to an overall record of 19-9 and 14-3 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.

In the first game of the day, Regis brought one across the plate in the top half of the opening inning to lead 1-0.  With runners on first and third, the Orediggers knocked a double down the left field line to score both and take control of the lead, 2-1.

Continuing to tally runs on the scoreboard was Mines in the bottom of the second; on two hits, the Orediggers extended the lead 5-1.  In the top of the fourth, on three singles and a sacrifice fly, the Rangers began to close the gap to make the score 6-4 but would run out of steam making that the last scoring inning for RU of the game.

Mines sealed the victory in the bottom of the sixth scoring the final run of the game and taking down Regis, 6-4.  The Rangers tallied one more hit then the Orediggers 9-8, but fell in RBI's recorded 6-4.  Junior Nicole Aviles (Phoenix, Arizona) threw the entire game for RU to strikeout eight batters and ultimately suffering the loss moving her to an overall record of 12-4 on the year.

Fighting back with vengeance, Regis shutout Mines putting up back-to-back five-run innings to engage the mercy rule and defeat the Orediggers 12-0.  The lead-off batters for RU went one-two at the start of the game before sophomore Carlie Sexton (Littleton, Colorado) reached first on a single.  Junior Nicole Hull (Westminster, Colorado) doubled down the left field line to score Sexton.  Senior Taylor Wilcox (El Centro, California) earned the RBI scoring Hull and giving the Rangers their first lead since early in the first game, 2-0.

Ranger defense allowed just one hit and left one runner on base in the bottom of the first to continue to hold the Orediggers scoreless.  The top of the second boded well for RU as sophomore Kate Lorenz (Chicago, Illinois) stole home after reaching on base by hit by pitch but the scoring was far from over.   Freshman Emily John (Beaverton, Oregon) singled to earn an RBI and make the score 4-0 while Hull capped off the first of five-run innings blasting a three-run homer over the left field fence pushing the score to 7-0.

Once again, Regis held Mines scoreless throughout another at bat in the bottom of the second.  On two fielder's choice, two singles, a triple, and a homerun, RU tacked on five more runs putting the score completely out of reach for the Orediggers, 12-0. 

Sexton and Hull led the Rangers offensively throughout the first day of play.  Hull with six RBI's off four hits including a single, a double, and two homeruns.  Sexton added four runs on five hits and two RBI's. 

Hull, earning the shutout in the second game on the mound for RU, moves to an overall record of 7-5.  She allowed one hit and struck out four batters on just 12 faced.  Junior Rachelle Knudson (Sterling, Colorado) pitched the final two innings for the Rangers making her fourth appearance and tallying one strikeout. 

Regis and Mines are back in action tomorrow, Sunday, March 29 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.