ALAMOSA, Colo. – MSU Denver bounced back from a near-upset in the first game and exploded for its highest run total since 1990 on Thursday while sweeping a doubleheader at Adams State with 6-5 and 22-7 victories.
In the opening game against the last-place Grizzlies, first-place MSU Denver finally scored the game's first two runs in the fourth inning, then added four more in the top of the sixth. But Adams State scored one in the bottom of the six and then rallied for four runs in the bottom of the seventh.
MSU Denver made two pitching changes in the inning, and
Maddy Wilson came on with one out and the tying run on second base. After a wild pitch moved the runner up to third, Wilson got a ground out, issued a walk, and finally struck out the final batter of the game to earn the save.
The Roadrunners improved to 31-7 overall and 24-2 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, while Adams State dropped to 4-31 and 2-24.
"Game one was tight," MSU Denver coach
Annie Van Wetzinga said. "We struggled to string quality at bats together. Luckily we were able to use walks and our speed to generate runs.
"We struggled to finish strong, but luckily Maddy came on in relief with a really mature and competitive mentality and was able to shut the door to secure the win."
There was no such suspense in the second game, as
Miah Hartvigsen hit a first-inning grand slam and added a two-run triple in a three-run second inning. MSU Denver added a run in the third, then got six more in the fourth and eight in the top of the fifth for a 22-3 lead. Despite Adams State's four-run fifth, there was plenty of cushion for the game to be ended early due to the eight-run rule.
"The team wasn't happy with its performance in game one, so it was nice to see our hitters respond," Van Wetzinga said. "It was a huge jolt of energy to get into a ball for the grand slam in the top of the first. From there, we did a nice job of keeping the gas pedal down offensively."
MSU Denver's run total was its highest since posting a 22-3 win at UCCS on April 4, 1990 (MSU Denver did not have softball from 1991 through 2007).
Hartvigsen's six RBIs matched the total of teammate
Jaiden Geist earlier in the season and was two short of the program record of eight. It's the most by an MSU Denver player since 2018.
Shelby Robb was 2-for-2 in the second game and, combined with her one hit in the opener, upped her career hit total 227, tied for second in program history with Jennessa Tesone (2008-11). The school record is 265, by Amber Roundtree (2008-11).
MSU Denver got 11 RBIs from the bottom four hitters in its order – three each from
Adriana Bueno, Geist and
Hannah DiFabio and two from
Katie Maney.
Wilson (5-0) went the distance in the circle.
Jenna Medhus (10-0) was the winning pitcher in the opener, improving to 10-0.
The teams play another doubleheader Friday at 11 a.m.
"For tomorrow, we've challenged them to build off that offensive output in game two with good approaches at the plate," Van Wetzinga said. "We also challenged the defense and pitchers to limit the runs. Pitchers need to keep the ball at a quality level, and as a team we need to finish games strong."
