Denver - The Metropolitan State University of Denver softball team (22-8, 15-1 RMAC) defeated Fort Hays State (9-18, 2-0 MIAA) by scores of 6-2 and 9-8 in a doubleheader on Tuesday evening.
 
In game one, senior Hayley Fields (Arlington, Wash./Arlington H.S.) got the start for the Roadrunners in the circle. Fields started off strong with two shutout innings. The MSU Denver offense gave her an early 2-0 lead after showing some discipline at the plate. In the bottom of the first, three Roadrunner batters, Fields, senior Colissa Bakovich (Loveland, Colo./Loveland H.S.), and junior Annika Anderson (Loveland, Colo./Loveland H.S.) reached on consecutive four-pitch walks. After a fielder's choice got Fields out at the plate, junior Serena Espinoza hit a sacrifice fly in foul territory down the right field line to score Bakovich. Senior Cassidy Smith (Loveland, Colo./Loveland H.S.) singled up the left side two pitches later to score Anderson.
 
The Tigers clawed back in the top of the fifth to tie the score 2-2. A lead-off double put a runner on second and a fielding error on a sacrifice bunt put runners on first and second. A double to right-center drove in both runners. Anderson put an end to the damage with a double play, catching a fly-ball and then throwing out the tagging runner from second at third base.
 
MSU Denver had an answer in the bottom of the sixth scoring four runs to make the score 6-2. Smith reached second on a dropped ball by the Tigers' centerfielder. An infield single by sophomore Ashlee Kim (Castle Rock, Colo./Douglas County H.S.) put runners on first and third for the Roadrunners. After Kim stole second, senior Brooke Lovas (Chino Hills, Calif./Chino Hills H.S.) drove in both runners with a single to center. Fields followed with an RBI double down the left field line to score Lovas. Bakovich brought in the final run of the inning with a single up the right side to score Fields.  Fields pitched a flawless top of the seventh inning to close out the game for the Roadrunners 6-2 victory.
 
Fort Hays State struck first in game two.  After a single, a two-run homerun off freshman Darby McGhee (Camarillo, Calif./Adolfo Camarillo High School) put the Tigers up 2-0. The Tigers loaded the bases on two walks and a single, and then drove in another run on a single to shallow center. A walk to the next batter and a single down the left field put the Roadrunners in a quick 6-0 hole.
 
The Roadrunners battled back in the bottom of the first after a two-run homerun by junior Carissa Terry (Moreno Valley, Calif./Valley View H.S.) scored herself and Anderson, who reached on a fielder's choice. MSU Denver loaded the bases with two outs, but was unable to push any more runs across. The Roadrunners finished the inning with two runs, three hits and three runners left on base.
 
In the second inning, the Tigers came out hot again. After back-to-back walks, a single to left field scored two to push the Tiger lead to 8-2. The Roadrunners responded in the bottom of the second when Bakovich tripled to right field; the hit scored Fields who singled to right to reach base. MSU Denver loaded the bases again, but once more could not push across a run so the inning finished with the Tigers leading 8-3.
 
After five and half scoreless innings, Smith blasted a solo homerun in the bottom of the seventh to start a dramatic seventh inning rally. Freshman Tes Hass (Loveland, Colo./Loveland H.S.) pinch hit for Kim and drew a walk. Kim returned to run for herself, stole second, and third on a single by Lovas. Lovas advanced to second on a wild pitch. Fields drew a walk to load the bases and Bakovich brought in Kim and Lovas on a single up the left side. Anderson doubled to centerfield to score Bakovich and move Lovas up to third, making the score 8-7 Tigers. Terry came through with the clutch double to right field to score Lovas and Anderson for the Roadrunners walk-off 9-7 win.
 
The Roadrunners return to the Regency Athletic Complex Saturday March 25^th to take on New Mexico Highlands University in a double-header starting at 12 p.m.