LAS VEGAS, N.M. - The No. 22 Metro State softball team defeated New Mexico Highlands 9-5 in game one of a doubleheader in Las Vegas, N.M., on Sunday. Metro State led 2-1 after the second inning and never looked back.
Kellie Nishikida and Tara Mickelson each had two hits for the Roadrunners. Jessica Haab and Lauren Hainlen each added home run. Christie Robinson pitched the first five innings and allowed just one run and struck out five for the victory.
Metro State led 1-0 after the top of the first as Nishikida scored an unearned run after singling to through the right side with one out.
New Mexico Highlands tied it in the bottom of the first, but the Roadrunners scored again in the top of the second and led from then on. Mickelson led off with a single and scored on a base hit by Danni Hedstrom.
The Roadrunners added three more in the fourth on Haab's three-run blast and scored three more in the fifth after Jennessa Tesone led off with a triple.
Highlands scored three in the sixth off reliever Corrie Nishikida. Hainlen hit a solo home run to lead off the seventh. NMH also scored one in the bottom of the seventh.
GAME 2
LAS VEGAS, N.M. - The No. 22 Metro State softball team shut out New Mexico Highlands 13-0 in six innings in game two of a doubleheader on Sunday in Las Vegas, N.M. The win gave the Roadrunners as four-game series sweep over the weekend and improved them to 16-4 overall and 9-1 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference this season. NMH dropped to 4-17 overall and 1-7 in the RMAC.
Jennessa Tesone went 3-for-3 at the plate to lead the offense and drove in four runs. Amber Roundtree, Kellie Nishikida and Corrie Nishikida each had two hits. Brittany Moss struck out nine and tossed a three-hitter for the complete game shutout.
The Roadrunners scored one in the first inning as Tesone brought Roundtree home with a sacrifice fly. They added four more in the second Tesone hit a two-run single to bring home Kellie Nishikida and Sarah Rusch.
Lauren Hainlen led off the third with a single to center and scored on a base hit by Roundtree to put Metro State ahead 6-0.
The Roadrunners didn't score again until the sixth inning when they put up seven runs on four hits, while taking advantage of four walks. Tesone, Tara Mickelson and Corrie Nishikida each hit consecutive doubles to start the inning. Roundtree had a two-run single following three consecutive walks.
Metro State will host Western New Mexico for a four-game series next weekend, beginning on Saturday, March 14.
