Pueblo, Colo. – The Metropolitan State University of Denver softball team defeated CSU-Pueblo and Chadron State on Saturday to improve to 14-10 overall and 11-3 in the RMAC.

In the first game of the day, MSU Denver was able to defeat CSU-Pueblo 3-2.  The Roadrunners were able to get on the scoreboard first when sophomore Sarena Espinoza (Corona, Calif./Corona Centennial H.S.) hit a double to left-center field that would score junior Colissa Bakovich (Loveland, Colo./Loveland H.S.) to make the score 1-0 in the top of the third inning.  MSU Denver picked up another run in the fourth inning following a single by freshman Ashlee Kim (Castle Rock, Colo./Douglas County H.S.) that plated fellow freshman Caitie Booco (Keenesburg, Colo./Weld Central H.S.).  The Roadrunners would build a 3-0 lead in the fifth inning when junior Cassidy Smith (Loveland, Colo./Loveland H.S.) drove in junior Liberty Nelson (Frederick, Colo./Frederick H.S.) on a single to center field.  CSU-Pueblo would attempt to comeback scoring one run in the bottom of the sixth and the seventh innings, but would come up short.  Smith pitched the game for the Roadrunners and posted a career-high eight strikeouts.

The Roadrunners defeated Chadron State in the second game of the day 8-3.  The Roadrunners fell behind early following a pair of solo home runs by Chadron State in the bottom of the first and third innings.  MSU Denver would trail 2-0 until the top of the sixth inning when the Roadrunners offense found a rhythm.  Espinoza singled and Nelson entered the game to pinch run.  Sophomore Carissa Terry (Moreno Valley, Calif./Valley View H.S.) reached on a fielder's choice, however, Nelson was safe at second following an error on the shortstop.  Smith would give the Roadrunners the lead for good after hitting a three-run home run to center field.  The next batter, sophomore Annika Anderson (Loveland, Colo./Loveland H.S.), hit a solo home run of her own to give the Roadrunners a 4-2 lead.  MSU Denver scored four more runs in the top of the seventh inning with Anderson, Booco, and Bakovich each driving in a run.  Chadron State hit one more solo home run of its own in the bottom of the seventh, but it would not be enough.  Junior Hayley Fields (Arlington, Wash./Arlington H.S.) earned the win in the circle for the Roadrunners to move to 9-3 on the season.

Smith finished the day in the two games going 2-for-8 from the plate with four RBI's and two runs scored.

MSU Denver will face Chadron State at noon and CSU-Pueblo at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 13 in Pueblo.