LAS VEGAS, New Mexico - The Regis University softball team (8-2, 5-1 RMAC) headed south to take on the New Mexico Highlands University Cowgirls (3-3, 3-3 RMAC) in a four-game series. 

The first double-header of the weekend didn't spare any drama as both games went down to the wire. Regis narrowly edged the Cowgirls in the first game, 7-6. In game two though, NMHU slipped past RU in extra innings. 

Game One | How it Happened: In the first inning, junior Jessi Case advanced home via a single from graduate student Jade Loe, giving Regis a 1-0 advantage.

Graduate student Taylor Armitage started in the circle for the Rangers. She allowed no runs until the bottom of the second inning; with two outs and runners on first and third, an error allowed NMHU to get on the board and tied the game at 1-1. 

Then, a two RBI homer from the Cowgirls in the third gave them a 3-1 lead. But, Regis had a strong answer in the top of the fifth inning. Graduate student Laura Scheffel slammed a double to left field, which sent Case, who was on second, home. Next, a huge triple from graduate student Jade Loe sent Scheffel to home plate. Loe was able to reach home on an error, giving RU a 4-3 lead!

No runs were scored until the seventh inning, where the Rangers tacked on some more runs. Case slammed one over the fence for a solo homerun. Then, Senior Kynra Nelson raced home from a double by Scheffel. Freshman Ashlynn Balliet sent Scheffel home when she singled up the middle. 

Regis nearly gave up their 7-3 lead in the bottom of the seventh. After three runs were scored by NMHU with no outs, sophomore Kara Rodeheaver came in the game to pitch for RU. She finished the game strong by not allowing any more runs. The Rangers got it done, 7-6.

Game Notes: Case was a perfect 4-4 while batting in the first game, she also had a homerun. She played good defense as well with three assists. Scheffel went 2-4 in the batter's box, but had two RBI's. Sophomore Shayelyn Allen led the team in putouts with 7. Armitage got the victory, making her record 3-0 and Rodeheaver was credited her first save. 

Game Two | How it Happened: Regis got bats on ball quickly to start the second game. They capitalized on three runs in the first inning from Case, Scheffel and Loe. Case added another run in the second to give RU a 4-0 lead.

It looked as if the Rangers would get a quick victory, but the Cowgirls had other plans. A grand slam in fifth tied the ballgame up at 4-4. No runs were scored after that and extra innings were needed to decide a winner.

Regis wasted no time in their first at-bat in the top of the eighth, they sent home four runs. But, NMHU kept pace and matched RU with four runs of their own. So, the two battled into the ninth. The Rangers couldn't score to start the ninth inning. 

Freshman Alexis Kemp came into the game and pitched well for Regis. She Didn't allow any runs, so the game was still locked at eight, heading into the tenth inning.

Again, RU had difficulty at the plate and couldn't gain the lead. The Cowgirls though, earned a walk-off single and ended the game. The final score was 8-9, NMHU, through ten innings.  

Game Notes: Case had an incredible day; she batted 8-9 throughout the two games. Loe went 3-5 in game two and freshman Katherine Raper went 3-6. Raper led the team in RBI's with three. Junior Carly Beard, sophomore Logan Taylor and Allen all had six putouts. 

Up Next For The Rangers: The two teams will play another double-header tomorrow, March 7. The first game will commence at 11 a.m. and you can watch it by clicking here.