DENVER, Colo. – The Regis University softball team opened its home slate on Sunday with two games against Chadron State College after weather pushed the series back an extra day.
The Rangers (8-8 overall, 5-1 RMAC) took both games on Saturday against the Eagles (2-11 overall, 0-6 RMAC), winning Game One, 7-6, and earning its second shutout of the season in Game Two, 6-0.
"This weekend was very big for us. We got the momentum from last weekend and carried it into this weekend," said Regis softball head coach, Nicole Thompson. "I'm very proud of our bats, we came out a lot quicker these past two games. We've been talking about it, coming out early and often and that's definitely what our bats did today."
Game One | How It Happened: The Eagles jumped to a quick lead in the first three innings, ending the top of the third, 3-0.
Despite being down 3-0, the Rangers' offense exploded for five runs in the bottom of the third.
A single from freshman outfielder Olivia Wick, a double from first-year outfielder Sienna Reed, and an additional single from junior first baseman Shayelyn Allen rounded out the five RBIs in the bottom of the third.
The Rangers' bats stayed hot with a single from sophomore catcher Rachel Williams scoring two to inflate Regis' lead to four, with the score at 7-3 after the bottom of the fourth.
The Eagles would add an additional four runs in the sixth and seventh innings, but would fall short of the comeback, with junior right-hander Katherine Raper earning her first win of the season and senior pitcher Abby Covington earning her first save of the season.
Game Notes:
- Seven of the nine Regis batters recorded at least one hit
- Regis recorded seven runs on 11 hits
Game Two | How It Happened: The Rangers made quick work of the Eagles in Game Two. Regis' offense combined for six runs on five hits within the first three innings.
A single from sophomore catcher Abby Larsen plated one for the Rangers while Williams followed up with a single of her own to score another and make it 2-0 in the bottom of the first.
After junior right-hander Alexis Kemp shut the Eagles down in the top of the second, a single from junior utility Victoria McMains scored the third run of the game for the Rangers.
In the bottom of the third, freshman outfielder Sienna Reed hit a three-run blast to dead center to increase the Rangers' lead to 6-0.
Kemp kept the Eagles' bats quiet for the rest of the game as she threw her second straight shutout following her performance in Game Four of last weekend's series against Colorado State University Pueblo.
"I'm so proud of [Kemp]," said Thompson. "She's worked very hard and she's earned every little bit of this. For her to come out and have back to back shutouts in back to back weeks is big time. She trusts her stuff, she trusts her defense, and it's very fun to watch her shine on the mound."
Game Notes:
- Junior right-hander Alexis Kemp threw her second complete game of her career
- Freshman Sienna Reed hit her first home run as a Ranger
- Kemp struck out five through her seven innings of work
Up Next: Regis continues its series against Chadron State on Monday, Feb. 27. First pitch is set for 11 a.m.
"We know that four game series are always tough," said Thompson. "We have to bring our stuff every single time we get on the field and tomorrow's a new day. We want to come out and turn the page tomorrow and finish the weekend."
