DENVER – Annie Van Wetzinga didn't have to wait long to get her 500^th career victory.
 
Sitting at 498 heading into a big Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference showdown with crosstown rival Regis, the Roadrunners swept a Saturday doubleheader 5-2 and 13-4 at the Assembly Athletic Complex.
 
"There's a little bit of relief," Van Wetzinga said of reaching the career milestone. "I honestly had no idea where I was at because I usually just care about the game that's in front of me. But some people in the last couple of weeks have mentioned it, so I knew it was coming up. So it is nice to get it done."
 
The team celebrated on the field with a post-game tribute to the 18^th year coach who won 101 games at Colorado School of Mines, 52 more at Upper Iowa and is MSU Denver's all-time wins leader with 347.
 
"I've really enjoyed it," senior outfielder Shelby Robb said of playing for Van Wetzinga. "I've learned a lot. I've become a more aggressive and confident player. She's taught me to trust my abilities. It's been a journey with a lot of ups and downs, but we stick with her and she sticks with us.
 
"She has high expectations, and they're our expectations, too, and we know when we don't meet them. She's there to help us achieve those, and she's honest with us if we're not meeting them."
 
A large number of fans was also there to celebrate with Van Wetzinga.
 
"I'm not a big attention person," Van Wetzinga said. "I'm one who will take my drink and sit in the corner. I'm a little awkward about it, but it's very nice and very appreciated."
 
Van Wetzinga now has a career record of 500-344 for a .592 winning percentage. At MSU Denver she's 347-188 (.649).
 
"It means you've been around really good, talented people, players and assistant coaches along the way, and not just here but Upper Iowa and (Colorado School of) Mines," Van Wetzinga said. "Great people."
 
Meanwhile the two wins, which helped MSU Denver maintain a share of first place in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference at 10-0, stretched the team's winning streak to 13. The Roadrunners are 17-5 overall.
 
"I just keep telling them that there are always things to get better at, but this team is fun and I absolutely love where they're at," Van Wetzinga said. "I love how they're clicking as a team. Different people are stepping up and doing amazing things.
 
"Coaches across the country want the intangibles that this team is playing with right now. They're gritty and persistent."
 
Robb had six hits Saturday, going 3-for-3 in each game, including three doubles in the opener and another in the second game.
 
"I was seeing the ball well, and (when I was) ahead in the count I tried to attack early," Robb said. "And when I was behind in the count I still battled and found a way to hit a good pitch and hit it wass it's pitched."
 
Miah Hartvigsen was 4-for-5 for the day, including 3-for-3 with a homer in the opener. Miki Berg was 4-for-6, including 3-for-3 in the second game.
 
Jenna Medhus, Kami Grammerstorf and Hannah DiFabio all had three-hit days.
 
MSU Denver will look to keep rolling in Sunday's 11 a.m. doubleheader.
 
"It's a big deal," Robb said. "That's a really good team. We knew it wasn't going to be easy but we kept attacking at the plate, and up and down the lineup everybody did different things.
 
"We were aggressive, we played good defense and our pitchers shut them down. And even when we gave up runs, we came back and didn't fall apart. We finished."