DENVER – The meat of the MSU Denver softball schedule has arrived, with Colorado Mesa coming to the Assembly Athletic Complex for a four-game series that includes doubleheaders Saturday at noon and Sunday at 11 a.m.
After this heavyweight matchup, the Roadrunners play host to Colorado School of Mines next weekend before wrapping up the regular season with a four-game series at seventh-ranked Colorado Christian.
MSU Denver is 35-9 overall and 28-4 for third place in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, while Colorado Mesa is 31-7 and tied for first with Colorado Christian at 29-3 in league play.
"The biggest thing isn't going into the games, but during the games," MSU Denver coach
Annie Van Wetzinga said. "We're just looking for that emotional maturity, understanding that there are going to be ups and downs during the games and not let anything turn to much. And it's a series. So don't carry anything negative over from inning to inning or game to game. Play in the moment. If something negative happens, learn from it and flush it."
It's also Alumni Weekend for MSU Denver, and the RMAC Tournament championship team from 2014 – Van Wetzinga's first at the school – will be honored between games of Saturday's doubleheader.
"They were really tough, played with a lot of edge," Van Wetzinga said. "To win the conference tournament we played seven games in three days and won three on the last day. They were athletic. They gave me some headaches. But they were tough."
Speaking of headaches, Colorado Mesa has won 21 straight games, matching the school-record streak the Roadrunners had earlier this season.
The Mavericks have also had MSU Denver's number lately, winning 20 of the last 23 matchups, though eight of those losses were decided by two runs or less.
"A lot of tight games," Van Wetzinga said. "We've had some games where we just couldn't finish. We've been more consistent at that.
"We won't have to work on being excited. Mesa is always good, and the two of us are always near the top of the conference. So we'll be ready to play."
Two of the most prolific offenses in Division II will be on display.
While MSU Denver leads the country in batting average (.375), hits (479), runs (360) and doubles (105), Colorado Mesa ranks first in slugging percentage (.748) and home runs (94).
Which means pitching will be at a premium.
"They hit a lot of home runs, which isn't new," Van Wetzinga said. "Our pitchers being able to mix their pitches will be big. We want to be able to keep them off balance. We have to limit free passes – both on errors and on walks – but we have to understand that there are times when a walk isn't bad. Don't give in and allow a really good hitter to hurt us in a big spot, maybe we can get them to fish or just get a reset for the next batter."
