DENVER, Colo. – The Regis University softball team earned its fourth series win of the season on Friday thanks to a one-hit, five-inning complete performance from junior right-hander Kylie Harpman and a hard-fought win in Game Two.
The Rangers (22-14 overall, 18-8 RMAC) scored in every home-half of Game One–winning 9-0– and finished with their sixth five-inning run rule in conference play while junior catcher Rachel Williams and freshman infielder Sydney Young combined for five of Regis' 10 hits, and four total runs against the Mountain Lions (12-25 overall, 9-19 RMAC) to take Game Two, 7-4.
"It's always great to win a series and come through on Day Two," said Regis softball head coach, Nicole Thompson. "We knew we had to make adjustments and this group made adjustments all the way around. Not just our hitters, but our pitchers found new ways to get these batters out. Winning a series in the RMAC is something we need especially at this time of the season. This was a big series for this group."
GAME ONE | HOW IT HAPPENED
Harpman gave up only one hit in five innings of work Friday morning, facing a total of 17 batters and striking out six.
On the offensive side, the Rangers quickly took care of business, scoring in every home-half of the inning, with the most runs coming in the fourth.
Junior infielder Miia Campos went a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate with a team-high three RBIs while six of Regis' nine batters had at least one hit.
The Regis defense took care of the first two outs in the top of the fifth as Harpman shut the door on UCCS with a strikeout to end the game.
"I hit on it yesterday as well but Kylie's just getting into her groove and I think it's been at the right time," Thompson said. "That confidence on the mound is growing each and every outing. Only one hit for a team that's pretty aggressive at the plate just says everything about her, her placement, the adjustments she's made to be better Day Two, all of it. I'm really proud of her and happy with her growth here lately."
GAME TWO | HOW IT HAPPENED
The back half of the game is where the Rangers came alive in Game Two with four runs scored in the third, two in the fifth, and one more in the sixth.
Campos sparked the offense in the third, with a bunt single that turned into two runs with an errant throw that made its way to the centerfield fence.
Young and sophomore outfielder Abby Larsen kept the production going in the third with a double and a single, respectively, to score the final two runs of the inning.
In the fifth, Young stole home while another UCCS error allowed Larsen to cross the plate.
Williams scored her third run of the day with a double to get her on board, and a throwing error that found its way into the Regis dugout to send her home.
Senior right-hander Katherine Raper earned her second win of the season with a 3.2 inning performance that featured five strike outs.
"I think the momentum honestly started in Game One. We saw the lineup and we knew what they were doing and we just gathered that momentum in Game One and let it fuel us into Game Two," Thompson said. "For our batters to come out Game One and not be complacent and get the lead early and stay with it, that just carried over to Game Two. We stayed off the change up that got us in trouble yesterday. We made her throw over the plate a little bit more, and we just came through with some timely hits and put the ball in play."
UP NEXT
Regis stays home for its second home series in a row, hosting Black Hills State University. First pitch is scheduled for Apr. 6 at 12 PM.
"It's another series we need to be hungry for and go out and get. We're getting into the crunch time of the season, but we're also getting into the swing of things at practice. We're staying healthy and it's an opportunity to build more momentum before we get to the last couple weeks of conference play," said Thompson.
