DENVER – The MSU Denver softball team has won 12 straight games and is about to play a four-game series against a team that it has beaten 17 straight times since 2017.
 
But, no, don't think for a second that the Roadrunners are looking past Chadron State.
 
"One of the things I really like about our team is that it is consistent with its energy and emotion," MSU Denver coach Annie Van Wetzinga. "We haven't been riding rollercoasters. This team has been steady and stayed the course, and they've kept the gas pedal down at all times. I like how they are working."
 
Chadron State comes to the Assembly Athletic Complex for doubleheaders Saturday at noon and Sunday at 11 a.m.

The Roadrunners then jump out of conference play for a home matchup against Fort Hays State (Kan.) on Tuesday, with a doubleheader scheduled to start at noon. It is also Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day.
 
The Roadrunners are 15-6 overall and are tied for first in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference at 12-0. The winning streak is the program's longest since a 14-game run in 2017, and it is five short of the program record of 17 straight wins set by the 2010 team that went 53-6 overall and reached the national championship semifinals.
 
"We've just been steady," Van Wetzinga said. "No one is trying to be overly flashy. They understand what the job is, and they plug away until the job is done.
 
"We've had some games where we weren't as sharp as we wanted to be – our defense wasn't sharp or our bats were kind of slow – but there was no panic. No one felt sorry for themselves. We just kept chipping away and pulled it out in the end."
 
Chadron State, picked to finish ninth in the 12-team RMAC, is 6-13 overall and 4-8 in league play. The Eagles impressively won one of four against Regis – and lost two other games by one run – and took three of four against Fort Lewis last weekend. They also opened league play against RMAC juggernaut Colorado Christian, which is also 12-0 in RMAC competition.
 
"They're coming off a really good weekend and their pitcher was named the RMAC pitcher of the week," Van Wetzinga said. "We'll need to show up and compete, and hopefully we'll be sharp like we were on day two (last weekend) against CSU Pueblo. If we take care of the ball defensively and stay consistent offensively, I like our chances."
 
MSU Denver ranks second in the RMAC in batting (.332) and stolen bases (36) while leading the league in triples (11), testament to its speedy roster.
 
But not to be overlooked is first baseman Miah Hartvigsen, batting a team-best (until Shelby Robb meets the minimum at-bats total) .412, with a .483 on-base percentage.
 
"Miah is someone who is always going to work," Van Wetzinga said. "She's come a long way since joining us last year (as a transfer from Minnesota State-Moorhead). She understands the value of work and she's willing to do it. She's very coachable, very positive and she's a great teammate.
 
"Her at-bats sometimes aren't the prettiest, but then the next thing you know you look up and, 'Oh, Miah's on first base again.'"