Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 LAS VEGAS, N.M. – The MSU Denver softball team played with dominance Friday in sweeping a doubleheader, 14-4 and 10-2, at New Mexico Highlands.

In the opener, five MSU Denver players contributed two or more RBIs and eight RBIs were recorded in the seventh inning alone as the Roadrunners broke open a 6-4 game.

"It was great to get back on the field and see our team compete again," MSU Denver coach Annie Van Wetzinga said. "We approached today as a reset or new beginning since it's been so long since we've played, and it's our first time having the entire team together for a series."

Infielder Shelby Robb kicked off the dramatic seventh inning with a double into left center field, driving in two runs. Then Haley Doughty drove in another run with a single up the middle. And an RBI single by Whitnee Alexander made it 10-4. Then Mackenzie Jamieson, who had homered in the sixth inning, followed with an RBI double, and Rebecca Gonzales added a two-run triple before a sacrifice fly by Megan Sansburn capped the rally.

In its second win of Friday's doubleheader, MSU Denver continued the decisive day with a 10-2 victory.

MSU Denver started off strong with four runs in the first inning. A two-run single by Shelby Robb, an RBI groundout by Jamieson, and an RBI single by by Darby McGhee staked the Roadrunners to a their four-run lead.
 
MSU Denver steadily built up its lead, driving in another three runs in the final two innings.

Kayla Banks had a special two-way performance on the mound and at-bat. She pitched a seven-inning complete game while allowing only one earned run, and she also brought offensive momentum to the plate as she when she racked up three hits, including a double, and an RBI. For the day Banks was 5-for-10.

"Rebecca Gonzales and Megan Sansburn really got us going today offensively at the top of the lineup," Van Wetzinga said. "We know what they're capable of, and we need them to have consistent at bats and they did that today.  Kayla Banks had a really solid day offensively, too. She came up with some big and timely hits. Now that we've got some games in the win column and had a good day, our goal is to build off that."

Gonzales had a pair of four-hit games, going 8-for-9 with three RBIs, while Sansburn was 3-for-6 with three RBIs.

Robb went 5-for-9 with four RBIs and Jamieson was 3-for-6 with five RBIs.

The teams play another doubleheader Saturday at 11 a.m.

"One area we need to get better at is consistent focus and energy," Van Wetzinga said. "We were a little up and down with that. We need to work and be focused every pitch and that needs to get better in all aspects of the game. Today was a really good day but tomorrow is a new day and we need to come out and sustain good energy and focus to finish the weekend."