Albuquerque, New Mexico- The Metropolitan State University of Denver softball fell in both games on Saturday at the CMU Invitational. The Roadrunners fell in the first game to Colorado Mesa 8-5 and Angelo State in the second game 6-2.
The Mavericks had the upper-hand over the Roadrunners through the first inning putting two runs up on the board in the top of the inning off three hits.
Celyn Whitt (Broomfield, CO/Legacy High School) brought a spark to the Roadrunners in the bottom of the inning when she hit a double to left field giving the Roadrunners a runner in scoring position with just one out. However, the Mavs were able to hold the Roadrunners scoreless.
The game remained scoreless from the bottom of the first through the top of the third when Mesa was able to take over, scoring four runs off four hits with two Roadrunners errors to take a 6-0 lead in the top of the third.
Two more runs came for the Mavericks in the top of the fourth when AnnMarie Torres hit a two run homer to extend the lead to 8-0.
The Roadrunners were able to get on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth inning. After a couple of singles and a pair of walks,
Ashlee Kim (Castle Rock, Colo./Douglas County H.S.) singled and was able to bring in two runs. The Roadrunners pitching and defense was able to hold the Mavericks to only three hits over the final three innings.
Senior
Sarena Espinoza (Corona, Calif./Corona Centennial H.S.) singled to left center in the bottom half of the seventh inning and
Annika Anderson (Loveland, Colo./Loveland H.S.) followed her to base by drawing a walk to give the Roadrunners two on base. After an errant throw by the Maverick pitcher, the Roadrunners found themselves in a bases-loaded situation. Senior
Kristyn Peters (Lakewood, CO/Dakota Ridge) delivered a double down the right field line which brought home two more runs. Sophomore
Tes Hass (Loveland, Colo./Loveland H.S.) added another RBI but that would be all the runs the Roadrunners would get and the Mavericks were able to hold on for an 8-5 win.
In game two of the day the Roadrunners took on Angelo State.
Junior
Kylee Burnside (Idaho Falls, Idaho/Skyline H.S.) got her first start on the mound for the Roadrunners and forced a ground out on the Lady Belles first at bat. After a single and double, Angelo was able to score the first run of the game to take the 1-0 lead. The fourth batter for Angelo fouled out, but the fifth was able to knock in the second run to take a 2-0 lead heading into the top of the second.
The second remained scoreless for both sides. Sophomore Alyssa Ritcher batted second for the Roadrunners in the top of the third and nailed a triple to right center. She then was able to bring in the first run for the Roadrunners after a Angelo State wild pitch to cut the lead to 2-1 heading into the bottom of the third.
The Lady Belles had a big third inning, hitting a two run homer to take a 4-1 lead. The fifth run for the Lady Belles and final one of the inning came on a Roadrunners error.
Angelo State was able to put another run up in the bottom of the fifth to take a 6-1 lead.
Senior
Annika Anderson (Loveland, Colo./Loveland H.S.) answer back for the Roadrunners earning her first home run of the season to give her team the second run of the game.
The score would remain the same through the remainder of the game with Angelo State taking the 6-2 win over the Roadrunners.
The Roadrunners will wrap up competition at the invite on Sunday against Texas A&M Commerce at 10 a.m.
