Denver- The Metropolitan State University of Denver softball team (24-9, 16-2 RMAC) split a doubleheader with New Mexico Highlands University (10-21, 7-11 RMAC) losing the first game 2-1 and winning the second game 8-0.
 
In game one, senior Cassidy Smith (Loveland, Colo./Loveland H.S.) got the start and pitched five scoreless innings.  The Roadrunners scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the fifth inning.  Sophomore Ashlee Kim (Castle Rock, Colo./Douglas County H.S.) reached first base when she was hit by a pitch and stole second a few pitches later.  Kim scored when senior Brooke Lovas (Chino Hills, Calif./Chino Hills H.S.) reached first on an error by the Cowgirls' shortstop.
 
The Cowgirls responded in the top of the sixth inning with two runs on two hits.  A walk, a single to third, and a single up the middle loaded the bases.  Freshman Darby McGhee (Camarillo, Calif./Adolfo Camarillo High School) came in to relieve Smith.  A wild pitch hit a Cowgirl batter to bring in a run.  A fielder's choice allowed the second run of the inning to score and gave the Cowgirls a 2-1 lead.
 
MSU Denver could not push across another run, stranding three runners on base in the bottom of the sixth and one in the bottom of the seventh.  The Roadrunners left a total of eight runners on base in the loss.
 
The Roadrunners came out firing on all cylinders in game two.  After a strong first inning of pitching by senior Hayley Fields (Arlington, Wash./Arlington H.S.), the MSU Denver offense scored two runs in the bottom of the first.  Senior Colissa Bakovich (Loveland, Colo./Loveland H.S.) walked and stole second to put a runner in scoring position.  Junior Annika Anderson (Loveland, Colo./Loveland H.S.) walked as well, and junior Carissa Terry (Moreno Valley, Calif./Valley View H.S.) was hit by a pitch to load the bases.  Following a flyout, Smith hit a two-RBI single to the shortstop and advanced to second on the throw home.  The Roadrunners finished the inning with a 2-0 lead on one hit and left two runners on base.
 
In the second inning, Kim led off with a triple to right field.  Lovas dropped down a bunt that scored Kim who contorted her body to avoid a tag at home.  Lovas advanced to second on the fielder's choice.  Fields flied out to right field to advance Lovas to third base.  Bakovich dropped down another bunt to score Lovas.  She then stole second.  Terry then homered to left-center field to put the Roadrunners up 6-0.
 
After another scoreless inning for the Cowgirls, Kim walked to get the Roadrunners offense going again in the bottom of the third.  Kim stole second once again and scored on a single by Fields, giving the Roadrunners a 7-0 lead.  MSU Denver was unable to score in the fourth or the fifth innings, but continued to shutout the Cowgirls.
 
The Roadrunners closed out game two in the bottom of the sixth inning.  Bakovich doubled to left field and advanced to third on a ground out by Terry.  Sophomore Daisy Collins (Visalia, Calif./Redwood H.S.) came in to pinch-hit and recorded an RBI single up the right field line to score Bakovich, ending the game with a commanding 8-0 victory for the Roadrunners.
 
MSU Denver will finish the four-game series with New Mexico Highlands with a double-header Sunday, March 26 beginning at 12 noon at the Regency Athletic Complex.