DENVER, Colo. – In the opening weekend of Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play, the Regis University Ranger softball team split with the Chadron State Eagles (6-7, 1-1 RMAC) after the first doubleheader. The Rangers rolled the Eagles enforcing the run rule in the first game 11-3 but came up just short in the second falling 9-7.

In the first game, Regis dropped a seven-spot on the Eagles in the bottom half of the seventh started off by Rachel Illias driving in three runs with a double down the left field line. Two batters later, Carlie Sexton bombed a three-run home run over the left field fence giving RU a 6-0 lead on just one out.

The scoring surge from the Rangers forced Chadron State to make a pitching change after Sexton's homer; however, Nicole Aviles was next up knocking a solo home run to center field on the very first pitch. Illias drove another run across, tallying her second double, in the bottom of the third as RU controlled an 8-0 lead.

The Eagles found a little bit of life in the top of the fifth putting two on the board from a home run over left, 8-2. Regis responded in the bottom of the fifth this time from an Emily John double to left center. Chadron State attempted to remain relevant bringing another one across in the top of the sixth but the Rangers sealed the 11-3 victory with help from a Delaney McGinn single and another double from John.

The second game started off much different than the first as CSC jumped out to an early 4-0. Matching the four-spot by the Eagles in the top of the first was the Rangers in the bottom of the second. With runners on first and second, Macy Cox recorded her first home run in a Regis uniform just barely putting one over the left field fence to bring the score 4-3. Shortly after, Bradey King drove in John with a double to right field to even the score, 4-4.

RU made quick work of CSC in the top of the third to put three more on the board in the bottom half to regain control of a 7-4 lead. The Rangers were unable to keep the Eagles from scoring throughout the remainder of the game as Chadron State slowly continued putting runs on the board to eventually take back control of the lead for the final time.

Illias and John led on the day combining to go 7-of-14 in the box and tallying four RBIs a piece. Sexton added three RBIs of her own. The Rangers outhit the Eagles 26-19 while going down in the book for three stolen bases with six different players hitting doubles.

Regis will close out the series against the Eagles Sunday, February 21 at 11 a.m.