Denver – The Metropolitan State University of Denver softball team split games in a doubleheader on Sunday afternoon against Colorado School of Mines. The Roadrunners move to 9-9 overall and 6-2 in the RMAC while the Orediggers are now 4-9 overall and 4-4 in the RMAC.
In the first game, MSU Denver defeated Colorado Mines 11-3. Junior Hayley Fields (Arlington, Wash./Arlington H.S.) got the start for the Roadrunners and picked up the win to improve to 6-3 as the starter. The Roadrunners got off to a quick start with three runs in the bottom of the first inning. Junior Brooke Lovas (Chino Hills, Calif./Chino Hills H.S.) reached base on an error, followed by a single from Fields into center field. With runners on first and second, sophomore Sarena Espinoza (Corona, Calif./Corona Centennial H.S.) hit a double driving in Lovas and advancing Fields to third base. Sophomore Kristyn Peters (Lakewood, CO/Dakota Ridge) hit a single into center field driving in both Espinoza and Fields to give MSU Denver a 3-0 led at the end of the first inning.
Colorado Mines struck back in the third inning, recording three runs to tie the game. The Orediggers had two players hit doubles in the inning, sophomore Pua Fujinaga and freshmen Kara Jones. Colorado Mines recorded five hits in the inning.
MSU Denver came back rallying in the fourth inning scoring five runs on four hits and stole three bases giving them an 8-3 lead. It started with a leadoff single by junior Cassidy Smith (Loveland, Colo./Loveland H.S.), who then stole second. Sophomore Annika Anderson (Loveland, Colo./Loveland H.S.) singled into right field to advance Smith to third base. Anderson would then go on to steal second base, followed by a single from freshmen Ashlee Kim (Castle Rock, Colo./Douglas County H.S.), driving in Smith.
The Roadrunners held Colorado Mines scoreless in the fifth inning, allowing just two hits. On the offensive side MSU Denver was able to come up with three runs. Fields had a double in the inning, recording two RBI's for the walk-off win.
In game two of the doubleheader Sunday afternoon, MSU Denver lost 12-7 to the Orediggers. The Roadrunners got on the board first in the bottom of the first inning scoring one run. Junior Colissa Bakovich (Loveland, Colo./Loveland H.S.) led off and was hit by a pitch, she then stole second, making that her sixth stolen base of the year. Bakovich ended up scoring off a throwing error from the center fielder. MSU Denver held the Orediggers scoreless in the second inning and added one more run to take a 2-0 lead after two innings.
Colorado Mines came back in the top of the third with four runs, starting with a leadoff double from Fujinaga. Sophomore Sonoma Toot added another double later in the inning to drive in two runs giving the Orediggers a 4-2 lead in the middle of the third inning. MSU Denver would score one off a triple by Fields scoring Bakovich.
The fourth inning was scoreless for both ball clubs and the Orediggers led 4-3 after four. The fifth inning was offensively productive for both teams, each scoring three runs in the inning. Toot hit a double for the Orediggers in the fifth to score freshmen Dani Valerio who was hit by a pitch to lead off. Toot's double was followed up by another double from freshmen Kara Jones. The Roadrunners would respond in the bottom of the fifth scoring three runs of their own on three hits, but left two runners on base. Colorado Mines continued their strong plate appearance in the top of the sixth, scoring three runs on three hits taking a 10-6 lead. The Roadrunners scored one in the bottom of the sixth to cut the lead 10-7. MSU Denver would not be able to mount a comeback and fall 12-7.
MSU Denver will hit the road to play New Mexico Highlands on March 5-6. The four-game series will begin with a doubleheader starting at noon on Saturday, March 5.
