DENVER, Colo. - The No. 20 Metro State softball team swept its doubleheader against Western New Mexico on Sunday, winning 3-2 in nine innings in game one and 14-1 in five innings in game two at Auraria Field in Denver. Metro State improved to 20-4 overall and 13-1 in the RMAC and has now won eight consecutive games and 13 of its past 14 games. Western New Mexico dropped to 4-16 overall and 2-10 in the RMAC.
Game 1: Christie Robinson pitched all nine innings for her 12th win in 13 decisions this season. She scattered six hits and struck out seven. Amber Roundtree and Corrie Nishikida each had two hits of Metro State's seven hits.
The Roadrunners scored two in the first inning as Jennessa Tesone and Amber Roundtree scored on Nishikida's two-run single to center. They did not score again until the ninth inning as Mustang starter Priscilla Garcia cruised through much of the game and did not allow another hit until the sixth inning.
Meanwhile, the Mustangs got on the board in the fourth as Kaitlyn Barnes hit a home run to right-center. They added another in the fifth to tie the game at 2-2.
Metro State loaded the bases with one out in the eighth inning, but was unable to score. With two outs in the ninth, Garcia hit Haab and Roundtree with consecutive pitches to put the winning run in scoring position. Kellie Nishikida then delivered the game-winning single, a line drive to right-center to score Haab to win the game.
Game 2: Metro State scored four runs in the first and nine in the second to coast to a 14-1 victory. Brittany Moss pitched all five innings, surrendering just a solo home run to Stephanie Bisgard. She struck out seven and allowed just two hits.
Kellie Nishikida, Amber Roundtree and Tara Mickelson each had three hits as the Roadrunners pounded out 12 hits in the game. Nishikida, Mickelson and Jennessa Tesone each homered in the contest as well.
Metro State took a 1-0 lead when Nishikida scored on wild pitch. The Roadrunners led 4-0 just four batters into the game when Tesone ripped the first pitch she saw over the left-center field wall for a three-run home run.
Bisgard's home run in the second cut Metro State's lead to 4-1, but the first nine batters of the second inning all reached base and scored for the Roadrunners and they led 13-1 after the second inning. Danni Hedstrom had a key two-run bases loaded single and Mickelson followed with a three-run blast to center.
The Roadrunners scored their final run of the game on an RBI double by Mickelson down the left field line that scored Hedstrom in the third inning.
Metro State will travel to Fort Lewis for a four-game series next weekend.
