SPEARFISH, S.D. – MSU Denver rallied for eight fifth-inning runs Saturday to defeat Black Hills State in the opening game of a softball doubleheader, but had to settle for a split after the Yellow Jackets rallied for four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning for a walkoff win in the nightcap.

"Black Hills State hasn't had the opportunity to play at home too often, and they have a new coaching staff that is building their culture," MSU Denver coach Annie Van Wetzinga said. "We need to re-group and come back on Sunday ready to attack and have a good day."
 
The Roadrunners' 10-5 opening-game win saw them rally from deficits of 4-0 and 5-1.
 
Rebecca Gonzales was 4-for-5 with two RBIs, Shelby Robb was 3-for-5 and Hannah DiFabio was 2-for-5 with two RBIs.
 
In the decisive fifth, pinch-hitter Alexia Boring put MSU Denver 6-5 with an RBI single, Gonzales followed with a two-run triple, DiFabio added a run-scoring single and Kami Grammerstorf plated the final run of the rally with an RBI single.
 
Audrey Burt (6-5) pitched five innings of five-hit shutout relief, walking one and striking out four to pick up the victory.
 
In the second game, MSU Denver took a 3-2 lead on Jaiden Geist's homer in the top of the seventh, but the Roadrunners were unable to finish it off in the bottom of the seventh and fell 6-3.
 
"We showed moments of good fight today, but we need to be able to use that energy throughout and be able to capitalize earlier on it.

"Too often our pitchers are in tough spots. We need to get them more run support, especially earlier in games."

Robb was 2-for-3 for the Roadrunners, who were limited to five hits.
 
Sarah Norton pitched into the seventh, allowing three runs (two earned), but ultimately took a no-decision.
 
"I really liked how Audrey pitched in relief today, and Sarah deserved better," Van Wetzinga said. "I wish we could've given her more offense to take off some pressure."
 
The series concludes with an 11 a.m. doubleheader Sunday.