DENVER, Colo. – The Regis University softball team handed the Colorado Christian University Cougars their first conference loss of the season en route to a day one split in Denver.
The Rangers (21-15 overall, 18-8 RMAC) dealt the Cougars their first conference loss sparked by a two-run home run from senior infielder Shayelyn Allen to eventually take the win, 8-7. Regis split the day following a 7-3 loss in Game Two.
"I am so proud of this team," said Regis softball head coach, Nicole Thompson. "Today they competed at a very high level and it was fun to see them not back down all day."
Game One | How It Happened: Allen busted the doors down and quickly ended the Rangers' scoring drought through the first three and a half innings.
Allen's home run over the left field wall lifted the Rangers to a two run lead in the bottom of the fourth, bringing in freshman Olivia Wick who earlier reached on a single.
With the score at 3-2, in the top of the fifth, the Cougars tacked on an additional run to try and widen the lead, but the Rangers were having none of it, answering with four of their own in the bottom of the frame.
Sophomore catcher Rachel Williams brought in two RBIs thanks to a shot to left center. Allen kept her hit streak alive with a single to score the third, and graduate student outfielder Hannah Sisul walked in a run of her own, to take over the lead, 6-4, after the fifth.
By the time the last Cougars at-bat rolled around, the score was 7-6 going into the bottom of the seventh.
A rare sacrifice foul ball flyout evened the score at 7-7 to credit sophomore infielder Miia Campos with her first RBI of the game.
Graduate student infielder Jessi Case proved once again that the Rangers are one of the most disciplined teams at the plate with a walkoff walk that put the Rangers over the Cougars, 8-7.
"This team never gave in and their grit and grind was unmatched," said Thompson. "We executed a lot of things right and did the little things as a team. We had so many big at bats that came at a clutch times. Then we used our all pitching staff to piece the game together. It was great seeing them put together a full game."
Game Notes:
- Shayelyn Allen led the Rangers in RBIs with three, and tied Olivia Wick in hits with two
- Shayelyn Allen's home run was her fifth of the year
- Four different Ranger pitchers combined for five strikeouts
Game Two | How It Happened: Williams got the Rangers going with a triple to score the first run of the game, but Regis was quickly challenged with two home runs and were unable to take the second win.
With Williams putting the first run on the board, the Cougars answered with three across the tops of the fourth and fifth innings to make it 4-1.
Case would answer with a double to left field to add another at 4-2.
Campos earned her second RBI of the day with a single to right center, but that would be the last offensive production for the Rangers.
Game Notes:
Up Next: The Rangers finish out their four-game series against the Cougars on Sunday at Regis Softball Field. Game Three is slated to start at 11 a.m.
"It's a new day tomorrow. We need to take this momentum into tomorrow and stay true to our preparation and game plan for the series," said Thompson. "We know they are a good team and will come out ready to battle."
