DENVER - The Regis University softball team (12-6, 9-5 RMAC) continued their series with the No. 20 Colorado Mesa Mavericks (15-1, 15-1 RMAC), Monday afternoon. Regis came to play in the first game as they put up 12 runs to beat CMU. In the final game, Mesa got hot in the third inning and posted 11 runs. They won the final game, 12-1.   

Game One | How it Happened: Graduate student Taylor Armitage got her second start of the weekend in game one. 

With Mesa batting first, a two-run homer to left field by Maverick Ally Distler put the Rangers in a hole early, down 2-0.

Regis kept pace though by matching CMU's homerun with one of their own in the bottom of the second. Freshman Ashlynn Balliet slammed the ball over the centerfield fence for the solo homer, which put RU on the board.

RU wasn't done scoring though. Later in the inning, freshman Victoria McMains hit a sacrifice fly which allowed graduate student Taylor Armitage to slide home from third. Then, with junior Jessi Case planted on second and sophomore Shayelyn Allen on third, a huge bases-clearing double via graduate student Jade Loe scored two more runs for the Rangers. The score was 4-2, Regis, heading into the third inning.  

Mesa didn't want to go away soundly, the team put up four unanswered runs through the next two innings, giving them a 6-4 advantage over Regis. RU cut the lead to just one though when Armitage drew a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the fifth. 

Later on in the bottom of the sixth, the Rangers came alive by scoring six more runs, propelling them past CMU. The first run was scored when Loe had a nice base hit, which in-turn sent Case home who was on third. Then, Raper sent Loe and Nelson home, thanks partially to a fielding error committed by the left fielder. 

More runs came from the likes of Raper, graduate student Laura Scheffelf, Allen and Armitage, all of which were unearned due to two more errors by the Mavericks.

Mesa had one more chance to level the score in the top of the seventh, but Armitage stood tall and allowed just one hit and no runs, ending the game with a score of 12-6. 

Game Notes: Balliet's homer was her fifth of the season, which brings RU's total to 23. The Rangers are second in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference for total home runs, only behind Colorado Mesa, who has 25. Another fun fact: Balliet is currently in seventh in the RMAC for home runs as an individual and Loe sits in second with her total of six.

Case batted very well as the shortstop went 4-5 and scored twice. She also had a RBI and seven assists. Loe had a game-high three RBI, she also went 2-3 at the plate. Balliet was a perfect 3-3 and had seven assists. Allen led the team in putouts with 16 (a career-high). Allen is now fourth in the RMAC in putouts.

Regis is the sole cause for ending the Mavericks 16-game winning streak, which dates back to over a year. The last time Mesa was dealt a loss was March 7, 2020 by the Colorado School of Mines Orediggers. 

Game Two | How it Happened: With sophomore Kara Rodeheaver starting in the circle for Regis, the second game was locked at 0-0 for the first two innings. But, in the top of the third, Mesa got bats on ball and sent home an impressive 11 runs. 

The Rangers got one run home after a huge triple to left center by Loe, which sent home Raper. But, that would be the only run scored by Regis.

Mesa added one more run in the top of the fifth, but that would be it for scoring from both teams. 

The final score from game two was 12-1, Mavericks. 

Game Notes: Case went 2-3 at the plate, she also recorded one RBI and two putouts. Raper stood tall in the batter's box by going 2-2. Her hits were a double and a triple.  

Regis now sits in fifth place in the RMAC standings.  

Up Next For The Rangers: RU will have a short turn-around before returning to play against the Colorado Christian Cougars (12-4, 11-1 RMAC) in another four-game series. The first doubleheader will commence at noon at CCU on April 4 and you can watch it by clicking here.