DENVER – Hannah DiFabio cracked MSU Denver's first homer of the season, Miah Hartvigsen drove in three runs and freshman Natalie Romero pitched 3 2/3 no-hit relief innings for the victory as the Roadrunners defeated St. Mary's (Texas) 12-3 Thursday in a softball game shortened to five innings by the eight-run rule.
 
"It was nice to see us hit some balls hard today and be able to use our speed on the bases," MSU Denver coach Annie Van Wetzinga said.
 
MSU Denver scored three unearned runs in the bottom of the first inning, taking advantage of two of the Rattlers' six errors.
 
But St. Mary's answered with three runs in the top of the second.
 
In the bottom of the second, though, Katie Maney singled ahead of DiFabio's two-run homer.
 
The ignited what turned into an eight-run inning that included four more errors.

"It was big for us to answer back right away after they tied the game," Van Wetzinga said. "It showed a lot of maturity for Katie to leadoff with the single and then Hannah got the home run. Getting those solid hits at that time was definitely a feeling of relief."
 
Romero, meanwhile, came on in the second inning and improved to 2-1 while pitching around four walks

"Natalie was great in relief," Van Wetzinga said. "She worked well through a tight zone and never gave in or got frustrated when she didn't get a call."
 
MSU Denver had nine hits, including a triple by Lexi Gephart, and also got five stolen bases, including three by Kami Grammerstorf.
 
"This was certainly a step forward for our offense," Van Wetzinga said. "Our goal now is to build on it moving forward."
 
MSU Denver (3-3) plays host to St. Edward's (Texas) on Friday in a doubleheader set for 11 a.m., and is scheduled to play a doubleheader with St. Mary's on Saturday at noon.