PUEBLO, Colo. – Mackenzie Jamieson and
Jaiden Geist bashed homers, and three pitchers combined to keep CSU-Pueblo at bay Sunday as MSU Denver won the opening game of a softball doubleheader 4-2.
The Roadrunners had to settle for a 3-1 series win, though, as CSU-Pueblo claimed the finale 5-0.
"It's hard to beat someone four times in a row," MSU Denver coach
Annie Van Wetzinga said. "Three out of four, on the road, is pretty good. But we are talking bigger picture. I'd like to see us finish a little bit stronger. The consistency of our focus is a big thing – we are a young team and that's the big learning curve right now. Wer want to take the next step. When we are in a position to sweep, we want to sweep."
MSU Denver (12-11 overall, 4-6 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) put itself in position for the sweep in the opener, taking a 2-1 lead on Jamieson's two-run, fourth-inning homer, getting another run as
Ari Valdez stole home on the back end of a double steal later in the inning, then adding on with Geist's sixth-inning homer.
Destinee Lopez (3-3) allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits in 5 1/3 innings, walking one and striking out five, before
Julia Heitz worked 1 1/3 scoreless innings of relief and
Audrey Burt, with two runners on base, came on to strike out the only batter she faced for her first save.
"We challenged our pitchers this week, and for the most part they responded," Van Wetzinga said. "Yesterday,
Audrey Burt (complete-game win) was pretty dominant. I was really happy with Destinee's start today – she was much sharper than she's been the last few outings. All three pitchers in game one totally owned their role."
After scoring a season-high 13 runs in each game of Saturday's sweep, MSU Denver's offense was slowed on Sunday, particularly in the second game, when it was held to three hits.
"Every day is different, and their pitchers were much better today," Van Wetzinga said. "They had a ton of control issues (Saturday) and they were able to clean up a lot of that.
"Each day is a clean slate. We look to make improvements from one day to the next, and so do other teams. We have to come out each day with a renewed energy and purpose."
