DENVER - The Regis University softball team celebrated its seniors on Sunday with two run-rule victories and a no-hitter from senior Logan Losh over Black Hills State University.
Both games lasted five innings as Regis picked up a 9-0 win in game one behind Losh and an 8-0 victory in game two behind a stellar outing from pitcher Taylor Armitage.
With six regular season games remaining, the Rangers are 29-17 overall and 24-10 in the RMAC conference.
How It Happened | Game 1: The Rangers batted around in the third inning to put the game out of reach and Losh allowed just two base runners in her second-to-last home start.
Losh had all of her pitches working early against the Yellow Jackets as she sat down the first nine batters she faced. Her only miscues on the day were the three walks she issued.
The no-hitter was the second of the season for the senior, who has been named RMAC Pitcher of the Week three times this season. She struck out five batters and lowered her season ERA to 2.14 on the season.
Leading by three runs, the Rangers sent 11 batters to the plate and scored six runs in the third inning to put the game well out of reach for BHSU.
The Rangers started off the inning with a double and three singles, before a costly throwing error to first base provide two runs for the Rangers who quickly pushed their lead to 6-0. An infield bunt and wild pitch scored runs for the Rangers and preceded Johnson's RBI double that gave RU a 9-0 lead.
Game Notes: Losh's other no-hitter this season came against Colorado Christian on April 7. Johnson and Tori Brown each had a pair of hits for the Rangers. Johnson drove in two runs, both on doubles in her return to the Rangers lineup.
How It Happened | Game 2: After celebrating its senior class, the Rangers continued their pace on both sides as Armitage allowed just two hits and the Rangers scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth to end the game early.
Armitage, the reigning NCAA Division II Fastpitch News Player of the Week, was crafty as she alluded trouble in the first and third innings. She finished the game with five strikeouts and needed just 60 pitches in five innings.
The Rangers scored one run in the first inning and three runs in the second inning, including an opposite field 2-run home run from Johnson that put the Rangers up 4-0.
Black Hills State responded with its best scoring opportunity of the day, but could not produce a run. A fielding error loaded the bases with one out for BHSU. Johnson made an outstanding throw home from deep short to cut down the runner at home for the second out.
Armitage would end the inning by fielding a softly hit ground ball and no runners would reach base again for BHSU.
The Rangers led 6-0 in the bottom of the fifth, Brianna Benoit drew a walk to load the bases and put the game-ending run into scoring position. Senior Delaney McGinn dumped the first pitch she saw into left field, driving in Lauren Hernandez and Brown for the walk-off win.
Game Notes: Prior to the contest the Rangers honored their six seniors, who will play in the final home games of their career on Monday. The Rangers set a new single-season record in stolen bases with Michelle Larose's swipe of second base in the first inning. Johnson was 3-for-3, drove in three runs and scored twice.
Next Up For The Rangers: The teams will conclude the RMAC series on Monday with a doubleheader beginning at 11 a.m. at the Regis Softball Field. It will be the final home games of the year for RU.
