DENVER – In a storybook finish to the home schedule, MSU Denver softball head coach Annie Van Wetzinga captured her 600th career victory as the Roadrunners swept the New Mexico Highlands Cowgirls in a Saturday doubleheader.
With the pair of wins, MSU Denver improves to 33-17 overall and 26-14 in RMAC play, securing the series victory by taking three of four games on the weekend.
Game One: MSU Denver 2, New Mexico Highlands 1
Game one was a pitcher's duel, with the Roadrunners relying on timely hitting and a dominant performance in the circle.
After falling behind 1-0 in the opening inning, Trinity Kennemer wasted no time responding, blasting a solo home run in the bottom half to even the score at 1-1—an early momentum shift that set the tone.
From there, both teams were held in check until the sixth inning. With two outs, Mackenzie Pearson delivered the clutch hit of the game, ripping an RBI double to give MSU Denver a 2-1 lead.
That was all Natalie Romero needed. Romero was outstanding, tossing a complete game while allowing just one run on two hits. After surrendering a run in the first, she was nearly untouchable the rest of the way, locking down the win.
Kennemer led the offense with a perfect 3-for-3 performance, adding a run and an RBI, while Pearson finished 2-for-3 with the game-winning RBI.
Game Two: MSU Denver 6, New Mexico Highlands 4
The second contest featured more offensive action, highlighted by a decisive fifth inning that propelled the Roadrunners to the sweep—and secured Van Wetzinga's milestone victory.
MSU Denver struck early when Victoria Pearson scored on a throwing error after swiping third base, setting the tone for an aggressive approach. The Roadrunners later added another run on a sacrifice fly from Natalie Shellhorn to keep pressure on.
After New Mexico Highlands battled back to take the lead, MSU Denver delivered its biggest punch in the fifth inning—a true turning point in the game.
Cheyenne Prieto started the rally with an RBI double to cut the deficit to one, followed by an RBI single from Janessa Esquibel to tie the game at 4-4. Moments later, Neila Fee came through with a two-RBI double, giving the Roadrunners a 6-4 lead they would not relinquish.
In the circle, Kianna Butler was dominant in relief, earning the win to improve to 10-3 on the season. Butler tossed 5.1 innings, allowing just one run while striking out three and shutting down the Cowgirls down the stretch.
Offensively, Kennemer scored twice, while Prieto (1-for-2, RBI, two walks) and Fee (game-winning two-RBI double) led the way.
The sweep not only secured the series win but also provided a fitting milestone moment, as Van Wetzinga reached 600 career victories in her final home game of the 2026 season.
MSU Denver now heads into the final stretch of the regular season with momentum, looking to carry this strong weekend into postseason positioning.
