DENVER – MSU Denver's softball offense picked up its production last weekend in a four-game sweep of Adams State.
 
Now the Roadrunners want to continue stepping up as the competition gets stronger.
 
"We just want to continue taking steps forward, and doing that means being consistent," Van Wetzinga said. "If we show up like we did Saturday, I think we're going to feel good about where we're at."
 
The Roadrunners improved to 7-6 overall by sweeping an Adams State team picked to finish next-to-last in the 12-team Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference in the first league series of the season.
 
This weekend, they'll travel to UCCS for a four-game series, with doubleheaders scheduled for noon Friday and 11 a.m. Saturday.
 
UCCS is 6-7 overall after winning 3 of 4 to open league play against a New Mexico Highlands team picked to finish last in the RMAC.
 
MSU Denver was picked to finish third in the RMAC this season, while UCCS was tabbed fifth.
 
"They can score some runs," Van Wetzinga said of UCCS. "They'll have some hitters who will be athletic. Our pitchers don't necessarily have to do anything phenomenal, but they need to be consistent in hitting their spots and keeping the ball low in the zone.
 
"They're bigger swingers, and it's a smaller field, so keeping the ball low in the zone will be key, as well as keeping it clean defensively so their power doesn't hurt us."
 
Staying hot offensively for the Roadrunners last weekend were outfielders Kami Grammerstorf (6-for-11, five runs, five stolen bases) and Alexia Boring (5-for-10, two homers, seven RBIs) and shortstop Hannah DiFabio (7-for-13, eight runs, four extra-base hits).
 
MSU Denver welcomed back outfielder Shelby Robb, who made her season debut and was 6-for-11, with all the hits for extra bases (four doubles, two triples), while driving in seven runs.
 
And getting hot for the Roadrunners were, among others, catcher Jaiden Geist (4-for-8, two homers, two doubles, six RBIs) and second baseman Adriana Bueno. A sophomore transfer from Wilmington (Del.), a strong Division II program, Bueno was 3-for-7 with a triple, a homer and seven RBIs while bumping her batting average to .238.
 
"She's been stepping it up," Van Wetzinga said. "Sometimes transfers, like freshmen, it takes a while to settle in. You just went through a year of a different culture and coaching style, and now you come to another one – and it can be a lot. Now she's settling in and enjoying it, and I really like how she's progressing."
 
Van Wetzinga also liked how her team progressed, from last Friday's two wins to Saturday's sweep.
 
"We were back at home, in front of family and friends, and there were some nerves and excitement the first day," Van Wetzinga said. "We played a little tight.
 
"But on Day Two we were much looser and had more fun and the results came much easier. I loved our defense on Day Two. We were much cleaner. Nothing spectacular, we were just taking care of outs."