GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – Softball in Grand Junction is here.
After an opening weekend in Texas and getting a week of play off, the Colorado Mesa University Softball Team is set to host their home opener this weekend as they make their long-awaited return to CMU Softball Field when they take on the Regis University Rangers for a pair of double headers.
The Mavericks will play their usual Saturday, Sunday schedule this weekend with two games on Saturday and two on Sunday. Play is set to start at 12 P.M. on Saturday and then at 11 A.M. on Sunday.
This weekend will commence the start of conference play as the Mavs play just six nonconference games before beginning their 44-game schedule against RMAC opponents.
LAST TIME OUT
Last time Colorado Mesa saw the diamond was two weeks ago when they took place in the DII First Pitch Invitational in Conroe, Texas. During the team's stay, they went 2-4 over their six total games with their two victories coming against Midwestern State University and St. Mary's. They would drop the other four with the two of the losses coming to host of the tournament #1 UT Tyler and #7 Angelo State. All six of the contests served as regional games as well and will play a factor down the road when vying for bids into the NCAA Regionals.
Following the team's play in Texas, Ally Distler was named the conference's week one position player of the week after hitting over .500 and leading the team in extra base hits. This was Distler's first time earning a player of the week award in her four-year career.
LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS
Having played only six games so far this season the team's sample size is small but showcases the talent this group has yet to bring.
Leading the offense so far is Ally Dister who is hitting a staggering .529 to start the year as she has accumulated six hits this season while leading the team in both doubles (3) and home runs (2). Chloe Valdez and Kamdyn Hagerty are the team's other leading players with Valdez hitting .250 and owning four RBIs to lead the squad with Hagerty hitting .200 for third best on the team.
Beyond Hagerty, four other newcomers have also seen time for the Mavs this season, with Brynn Escobar, Khloe Kubitscheck, Tegan Medina and Ava Stephens all having at least one start apiece in the first six games.
On the pitching side, Jessalyn Gallegos currently serves as the team's leader in multiple categories as the redshirt freshman has seen the circle in four games already. Gallegos owns a 2.28 ERA through 15.1 innings this season with both one win and one save.
Transfer Sophia Tassinari has the team's other win as she is 1-1 through three starts with a 3.09 ERA in 11.1 innings.
Preslee Christensen and Maria Nehm combine for the other 11.1 innings on the season and have five combined appearances to round out the team's pitching staff.
ABOUT REGIS
The defending RMAC Tournament Champions have had a bit of a rough start to the 2025 season as they enter this week with just one win, boasting a 1-8 record.
The Rangers took part in the DII First Pitch Invitational as well to start their season where they went 0-5 before playing a pair of double headers this past weekend up in Minnesota, going 1-3. Their lone win of the year comes against Southwest Minnesota State where they won 4-0.
This spring also serves as the first season for their new head coach, Candi Letts, who was hired back in the fall.
As a team the Rangers are hitting .222 with Mya Chacon and Olivia Wick leading the team hitting .318 and .313 respectively. Ariana Ybarra has totaled six RBIs to lead the squad with Morgan Norris owning the team's lone home run.
Despite the limited offense the team produces, when they do get on base the team proves to be deadly as they are 20-22 on stolen bases with Ybarra already 8-8 this season.
Sophia Garcia leads the pitching staff with a 3.50 ERA through eight innings while Vanessa Candito is 1-1 and owns the team's only win. In total there have been eight different pitchers who have toed the rubber this season for the Rangers.
HOW TO WATCH/LISTEN
All four games this weekend will be streamed on the RMAC Network free of charge and have live stats available to follow along with as well. Tickets for the games can be purchased online at cmumavericks.com/tickets or in person at the ballpark.
