LAKEWOOD, Colo. – The Regis University softball team bounced back from a rough start with the Colorado Christian Cougars (23-17, 13-11 RMAC) taking the final two games of the series. The Rangers recovered from the first day to surge on the offensive side of the ball defeating the Cougars 9-3 in the first game and 9-5 in the second.
 
Emily John was consistent throughout the day leading the Rangers going 7-for-9 with four runs and an RBI. Delaney McGinn chipped in with a 4-for-7 performance at the plate that included six RBIs. Laura Scheffel had her most productive day as a Ranger going 4-for-8 at the plate with two runs and two RBIs.
 
How It Happened | Game 1: A different start from yesterday's games, the Rangers brought one across in the top of the first when McGinn hit a single on bases loaded to score John, who reached on a single of her own. RU continued to sit with bases loaded on one out in the opening inning but could not convert any more runs leaving the three stranded.
 
The Cougars quickly responded evening the score up at 1-1 in the home half of the first. John gave the lead back to Regis in the top of the second with a single up the middle to score Bradey King, who reached on a walk.
 
The Rangers put some distance in the lead in the top of the fourth when Alyssa Finger kicked off the inning with a lead-off home run to right center. King got in on the action notching a two-RBI home run over center field, her first of the season, to give RU a 5-1 lead.
 
Colorado Christian brought two more across in the bottom of the fifth to decrease the deficit to 5-3 but the Regis bats could not be slowed down. On two outs, in the top of the sixth, Lauren Hernandez drove both John and King home on a double to right field. McGinn followed that up with her second RBI of the day scoring Hernandez from second on a single through the left side.
 
King gave RU their last run in the top of the final inning to lead 9-3 as Regis forced CCU to leave two runners on and capture their first win of the series.
 
Game Notes: The Rangers dominated offensively outhitting the Cougars 18-10, their largest hit total thus far this season. John led Regis at the plate going 4-for-5 with two runs and an RBI. King went 3-for-4 with three runs, a walk and a stolen base as well as a team-high three RBIs. McGinn, Finger, Scheffel and Melissa Heronema all added 2-for-4 performances at the plate combining for three runs and three RBIs. Logan Losh pitched in all seven innings on the mound tallying three strikeouts and improving to an overall record of 18-7.
 
How It Happened | Game 2: The score remained scoreless through the first two innings until the Cougars put one on the board in the bottom of the third. The Rangers matched that run and then some in the top of the fourth.
 
A McGinn single to right scored John to lock the score at 1-1 and then a Carlie Sexton single scored McGinn shortly after to give RU their first lead, 2-1. Scheffel made it 3-1 with a single to center field that scored Michelle Larose, the pinch runner for Ca. Sexton.
 
The score tied up once again at 3-3 in the home half of the fourth on a double to center field by CCU. The Rangers took advantage on two outs in the top of the fifth taking control of the lead again. McGinn got things started with a single that scored John and Ca. Sexton followed that up with a double down the right field line that brought two across. Scheffel capped off the inning with another single to right field that gave RU a 7-3 lead.
 
The Rangers continued to extend their lead in the top of the sixth as McGinn tallied her fifth RBI of the day on a sacrifice fly to left field. Ca. Sexton made it 9-3 with a single to left that scored King, who reached on a double.
 
The Cougars made a final effort in the bottom of the seventh with a two-RBI home run but the Rangers finished them off to close out the day and earn the split on the series.
 
Game Notes: John and Ca. Sexton led the Rangers at the plate each going 3-for-4. John scored two runs and Ca. Sexton went in the books for one run and a team-high four RBIs. McGinn went 2-for-3 with two runs and a stolen base. King, John and Ca. Sexton each tallied a double. Ca. Sexton now has 47 career doubles, just three away from breaking the all-time record. RU outhit CCU 15-8 while leaving seven runners on base.
 
Up Next For The Rangers: Regis returns home for a four-game series with No. 19 Colorado Mesa on Friday, April 14 and Saturday, April 15. First pitch on Friday is set for 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.