DENVER, Colo. – The Regis University softball team earned a split after day one of doubleheader action against the No. 11 Colorado Mesa Mavericks (32-5, 25-3 RMAC). The Rangers snapped a 24-game Mavericks win streak with a late-game walk-off single from
Emily John to take the first game 2-1 but Colorado Mesa's offense could not be stopped as RU fell 9-0 in the second game.
Lauren Hernandez led the Rangers on the offensive side of the ball going 3-for-4 with one walk.
Melissa Heronema went 2-for-4 with an RBI as she scored the winning run from game one.
Emily John added a 3-for-7 performance at the plate as she notched the game-winning RBI from game one.
How It Happened | Game 1: The defensive battle began from the get-go as the top two pitchers in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference squared off. The Rangers forced the Mavericks to leave nine runners on base through the first five innings, including two instances of bases loaded.
The score remained locked at 0-0 until Colorado Mesa broke the silence in the top of the sixth. The Mavericks took a 1-0 lead taking advantage of a costly RU error. In the bottom of the sixth, Hernandez punched a double to right center placing the tying run in scoring position but Regis could not convert as they headed into the final inning down 1-0.
With a small chance remaining on two outs in the bottom of the seventh,
Laura Scheffel drew a walk. In the next at bat, Heronema hit just her second double of the year to score Scheffel from second and tally the RBI.
Bradey King earned another walk as runners sat on first and second.
Emily John drove in the game-winning run on a single up the middle as Heronema came across the plate safely.
Game Notes: The Rangers held the No. 1 scoring offense in the conference to just one run and six hits. Regis forced the Mavericks to leave 13 runners on base. Hernandez led RU offensively going 2-for-2 at the plate with one walk. Heronema added a 2-for-3 performance with one run and an RBI. Both teams had six hits apiece.
Logan Losh pitched through all seven innings recording seven strikeouts while giving up no earned runs. Losh improves to a conference-leading and overall mark of 19-7.
Kate Lorenz threw a runner out at second attempting to steal to notch her fourth of the year.
How It Happened | Game 2: The Mavericks came out swinging from the start of the game jumping out to an early 3-0 lead after the first half inning. In the home half of the first, on two outs,
Carlie Sexton drew a walk and Hernandez reached on a single to right field. Unfortunately, nothing would come from the baserunners.
CMU remained consistent at the plate extending their lead to 5-0 in the second and 7-0 in the third. Once again in the bottom of the third with help from a pair of singles to left field, Regis could not convert with runners on first and second.
Although RU was able to hold Colorado Mesa scoreless in the top of the fourth, the Mavericks were able to bring two more across in the top of the fifth to lead 9-0; eventually, ending the game due to the run-rule.
Game Notes: That is just the fourth time this season that the Rangers went without a run. The Mavericks outhit Regis 9-3 as the home team left five runners stranded to CMU's six. Ca. Sexton went 1-for-1 with one walk and Hernandez went 1-for-2.
Taylor Armitage suffered the loss as she made her 19
th start on the mound for RU.
Up Next For The Rangers: Regis and Colorado Mesa will close out the series Saturday, April 15 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.