Colorado Mesa opens the 2017 at the MSU Denver Classic this weekend. CMU will play two games against MSU Denver and two games against Neb.-Kearney.
Preseason Favorites
Colorado Mesa was picked first in the RMAC Preseason Coaches Poll. The Mavericks received 118 points and received eight of the 12 first-place votes. MSU Denver was picked second with 114 points and received the other four first place votes.
Preseason Pitcher of the Year
Sophomore
McKenzie Surface was named the RMAC Preseason Pitcher of the Year. The Colorado Springs, Colo., native led the RMAC in shutouts (seven), victories (22) and strikeouts (144) last season. She posted a 22-9 record and a 2.73 ERA.
Preseason All-RMAC
The Mavericks had four other players named to the Preseason All-RMAC Team.
Junior catcher
Zoe Pakes batted .376 in 2016. The Lake Havasu City, Ariz., native ranked in the top-five in the RMAC in four different categories, third in runs batted in (55), third in runs batted in per game (1.06), fifth in home runs (11) and fifth in slugging percentage (.691).
Junior outfielder
Brooke Hodgson batted .400 and started all 53 games. The Rio Rancho, N.M., native ranked second in the RMAC in RBIs (57), third in runs per game (0.92), fourth in slugging percentage (.692) and fifth in homeruns (11).
Sophomore third baseman
Kaila Jacobi hit .345 and was the fifth hardest batter strikeout out in the RMAC. The Scottsdale, Ariz., native struck out four times in 113 at-bats.
Sophomore designated player
Courtney Robbins hit .329 and tied for the team lead with 14 stolen bases.
Batting Title
Colorado Mesa led NCAA Div. II in batting after hitting .361. West Texas, who eliminated Colorado Mesa from the NCAA Tournament, finished second hitting .358.
Scoring
Colorado Mesa averaged 7.45 runs per game last season, second most in NCAA Div. II. West Texas led the nation with 8.44 runs per game.
Road Warriors
Colorado Mesa is slated to play its first 15 games on the road before hosting Adams State on March 4.
Looking Ahead
Colorado Mesa will play at the Dixie State Tournament Feb. 9-11 in St. George, Utah.
