CHADRON, Neb. - The Regis University softball team (19-15, 16-14 RMAC) wrapped up their four-game series with the Chadron State Eagles (13-27, 14-23 RMAC) Saturday afternoon. This was the final regular season doubleheader for the Rangers. 

Yesterday, Regis won both ends of the doubleheader. Today though, Chadron came back in the seventh inning of the closer to earn a piece of the four-game series. 

How It Happened | Game One: Armitage started in the circle for the Rangers in the opener.

Graduate student Jade Loe started things off for Regis in the first inning when she singled to left, which allowed junior Jessi Case to score. Later in the lineup, freshman Ashlynn Balliet singled up the middle and Loe scored, making RU's lead 2-0.

Chadron would plate a run the when they batted in the first, making the score 1-2, Regis.

Scoring paused until the fourth inning when graduate student Laura Scheffel singled to right center, allowing freshman Katherine Raper to add a run. 

With a somewhat comfortable two run lead, the Eagles came back in the fourth and fifth with two runs of their own, tying the game at three. 

The teams headed into the seventh inning with a tied ball game. With Regis up to bat first, Loe singled and scored Taylor, giving them a one run lead.

Armitage retired all three outs in the bottom of the seventh and the game was over with a score of 4-3, RU.

Game Notes: Case was 1-3 and had a game-high five assists.

Loe was 2-4 and had a game-high two RBI.

Scheffel, Balliet Armitage and Taylor were all 1-4. 

Taylor led the team in putouts with eight.

Armitage improved her record to 13-3.

How It Happened | Game Two: Sophomore Abby Covington started in the circle for game two.

Junior Carly Beard got things going for the Rangers in the second inning when she singled to right and Taylor scored from her position on third base. 

In the third, both teams would see runs. Loe scored when Raper singled, but CSC plated two off a single up the middle. So, head coach Nicole Thompson sent in freshman Megan Loveland to pitch for Covington. Loveland was able to get Regis out of the inning without allowing more Eagle runs.

The Rangers quickly regained the lead in the top of the fourth with two runs of their own. The first came when Balliet reached home on an error. Then, junior Madison Flores had a big single to right that let freshman Victoria McMains score, making their lead 2-4.

Chadron got one run home in the bottom of the fourth and cut Regis' lead to just one.

In the sixth, junior Carly Gray reached home via an error by the catcher, making the score 5-3, Regis. 

The team headed to the seventh where things would get dramatic. RU was unable to get more security runs in the top of the seventh, so it would be up to the defense to get it done.

Chadron got going quickly with a double right off the bat. A single would score that runner, making the Ranger's lead just one run. Coach Thompson sent in sophomore Kara Rodeheaver to close the game, but things would get worse. An error allowed a runner to get to first and score a run, tying the game at five. Finally, a walk-off homer ended the game with a score of 5-7, CSC. 

Game Notes: Loe was 2-4.

Senior Kynra Nelson was 1-3.

Balliet and McMains were each 1-4. 

Gray was 2-3.

Beard and Taylor led the team in putouts with five each. 

Rodeheaver's record is now 1-4.

Up Next For the Rangers: With the three wins this weekend, the Regis University softball team has jumped into the No. 5 spot of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) standings. This means that they have qualified for the 2021 RMAC Softball Tournament, and will be the No. 5 seed when the tournament begins. The tournament will run from Thursday, May 13 to Saturday, May 15. Stay tuned to www.RegisRangers.com for all updates.