DENVER - The Regis University softball team (25-18, 19-9 RMAC) nabbed their fourth series sweep of the year Sunday afternoon. The team opened the day by shutting out CSU Pueblo (14-19, 10-18 RMAC) in fashion. Then, in the closer, the squad came back after being down nine runs to put a stamp on the series sweep.
"Wow! What a day - very proud of this team! This group are fighters to the very last second. Beating a team four times in conference is hard and this group went through adversity to get the job done" said Head Coach Nicole Thompson.
Game One | How it Happened: Freshman RHP
Kylie Harpman (W, 12-7) started in the circle in game one for the Rangers.
Scoreless through the first two innings, the game looked like it may be somewhat of a pitchers duel. However, the Rangers found their bats quickly in the third and never looked back.
Freshman Miia Campos, who had an outstanding eight-RBI day yesterday, sparked a flurry of runs in the third when she logged a RBI single.
Graduate student Allisha Martinez followed with another RBI single and junior Shayelyn Allen brought in two more runs with a single.
Regis inflated their lead to 6-0 in the fifth when senior Shelby Shepherd and Allen drew bases loaded walks.
Finally, Martinez ended the game in walk-off fashion with her two RBI bomb over the center field fence, sealing the 8-0 run rule victory.
"Can't say enough about our offense today. We had several people come up in big situations and produce which was awesome to see. Even when our backs were against the wall, they stayed the course and came through. It was fun to see"
Game Notes: Regis scored eight runs off eight hits and had zero errors.
Harpman was on fire in the circle, she fanned four batters, walked no one and only allowed three hits as she tossed her fourth complete game shutout of the season.
Martinez and Allen led both teams with three RBI. Martinez had a three-for-four performance while Allen was 1-2.
Campos was close behind as she was 2-3 and logged a RBI.
Shepherd also had a RBI in the opener.
Sophomore Katherine Raper had a game-high nine putouts while Campos and senior Madison Flores led with three assists each.
Game Two | How it Happened: The series closer saw junior RHP
Abby Covington start on the mound for RU, but three other Ranger pitchers would see action on the day.
The closer was about as jammed packed with action as any fan would have hoped for. A comeback for the ages commenced in the third inning - Regis was down 2-11 before the team put their rally caps on.
Six runs crossed home plate in the home half of the third inning for the Rangers which put them right back in it. Allen's double to left center, freshman Mia Moore's bunt single and Campos' triple to left brought home five runs. Then, Martinez knocked a RBI single through the right side to make the score 8-11.
Pueblo added a run in the fourth, but Regis wasn't even close to slowing down. Martinez blasted a two run shot over the fence in the fifth, then in the sixth RU claimed their first lead of the game.
A catcher's error led to the tying run crossing home plate for Regis and sophomore Carryn Leto's RBI single gave the team the lead at 13-12.
They didn't stop there though, RU kept pouring it on. When the sixth finally came to a close, Regis took a commanding 15-12 lead.
However, with Harpman (W, 14-7) back in the circle to close, the ThunderWolves nearly pulled the unthinkable with a two RBI home run. But, Harpman shook it off easily and sealed the thrilling 14-15 win.
"That bottom of the 6th inning just shows how bad this team wants it. We had hit after hit, worked four walks and used our speed on the bases. Miia (Campos) and Alisha (Martinez) were on fire this weekend!"
She continued, "our defense was also key in this series and our pitching staff worked as a team to complete the wins! Now, we get back to work for Mines"
Game Notes: The Rangers scored 15 runs off 16 hits and had just one error.
Because Harpman came into the game while Regis was down, she was credited with her 14th win of the year. She struck out four batters in just 2.2 innings pitched.
Martinez led in the batter's box, she was 3-5 and had four RBI.
Campos ended her weekend with another four RBI and was 2-4 at the plate.
Allen was 1-4 and had two RBI.
Senior Carly Beard, freshman Rachel Williams, Moore and Leto were the other Rangers who logged a RBI.
Case led the squad in assists (four) and Leto led in putouts (six).
Every position player who entered the game recorded at least one hit.
Up Next For The Rangers: Next weekend, Regis will head just west of Denver for a matchup with rival Colorado School of Mines (13-23, 13-13 RMAC). Game times are set for noon and 2 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Sunday.
