GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – MSU Denver's strong finish to the season came to an end Saturday at the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference tournament.
 
But first, the fifth-seeded Roadrunners pushed second-seeded Dixie State to the end before falling 9-5 in an elimination game. MSU Denver was 8-2 in its last 10 games and won three straight elimination games after falling in Thursday's first-round game to finish in third place.
 
"I was so proud of how this team represented Roadrunner Softball and MSU Denver this weekend," Metropolitan State University of Denver coach Annie Van Wetzinga said. "They were tough, they were mature, they played with energy, and most importantly played as a team. 

"I hope our underclassmen who return will see what they accomplished and use that as motivation and the standard for 2020 and beyond."
 
Dixie State went on to defeat top-seeded host Colorado Mesa twice to win the tournament championship and advance to the NCAA Tournament. Colorado Mesa also earned an at-large berth to the South Central Regional.

Against Dixie State, Jasmine Wessel's three-run, third-inning double gave MSU Denver a 4-2 lead and knocked All-American pitcher Cambrie Hazel from the circle.
 
But Dixie State scored three runs in the top of the fourth to regain the lead at 5-4 and added two more in the fifth.
 
Koryna Wright's RBI double got the Roadrunners back within 7-5 in the bottom of the fifth, but Dixie State tacked on two more runs in the top of the seventh.
 
Three of Dixie State's nine runs were unearned as MSU Denver's defense – airtight previously during the tournament – wasn't as sharp.
 
"We brought good fight and energy today but unfortunately we had too many defensive miscues that hurt us," Van Wetzinga said. "(Offensively), against tough pitchers, I thought we had some really good at bats overall. We hit some balls hard and had opportunities."
 
Carissa Burgess (22-4) got the win with 4 2/3 innings of relief, allowing one run on four hits.
 
Wessel, Ashlee Kim and Megan Sansburn all had two hits for the Roadrunners.
 
Kim and Wessel, both seniors, starred at the tournament. Kim was 9-for-21 with three doubles and six RBIs and was named to the All-Tournament team. Wessel was 7-for-18 with three doubles and five RBIs.
 
Freshman Laney Sheppard was 7-for-15 with two homers and seven RBIs.