DENVER – MSU Denver won the opener on a walkoff but couldn't quite rally for a second-game victory Friday and split a doubleheader against St. Edward's (Texas).
Kami Grammerstorf drove in the game-winner in the 4-3 first-game win. Trailing 10-3 after 5 ½ innings in the second game, the Roadrunners got close with a five-run rally in the bottom of the sixth, and rallied again in the bottom of the seventh before falling 12-9.
"It was definitely an up and down day today," MSU Denver coach
Annie Van Wetzinga said. "We saw some growth from our offense and fight in the second game, but we want to be able to start that sooner in the game and have more consistency with our approach and mentality."
DiFabio's fourth-inning homer in the opening game gave MSU Denver a 3-0 lead, but St. Edward's chipped away with two in the sixth and another in the top of the seventh to forge a 3-3 tie.
MSU Denver answered quickly in the bottom of the seventh, as DiFabio drew a leadoff walk, stole second base and then scored on Grammerstorf's single.
Grammerstorf and
Shelby Robb each had two hits, and Grammerstorf drove in two runs.
Maddy Wilson (1-0) was the winner in relief, after
Cheyenne Prieto pitched 5 1/3 solid innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits while striking out six.
"I thought Cheyenne threw well in her start today and Maddy was able to come in and finish game one strong," Van Wetzinga said.
In the second game,
Genevieve Bower was 3-for-4, while DiFabio, Grammerstorf, Robb and
Miah Hartvigsen – the first four hitters in the order – all had two hits. DiFabio, Grammerstorf and
Jaiden Geist all homered.
"I was really happy with the top of the lineup today," Van Wetzinga said. "Hannah, Kami, and Shelby were solid with really good at bats. Hannah and Kami especially had really mature at bats which led to our walk off win in game one."
MSU Denver is currently scheduled to play St. Mary's (Texas) in a doubleheader scheduled for Saturday at noon.
"As a coaching staff, we challenged our team to be more consistent with competitiveness and care for the little things," Van Wetzinga said. "Like our offense, we hope to make strides in those areas."
