DURANGO, Colo. – The Colorado Mesa University Softball Team used some key hitting from Myah Arrieta and a strong offensive performance in game two this afternoon as they worked their way to a pair of wins over Fort Lewis College en route to a first day sweep of the Skyhawks at Aspen Field.
Winning both games in very different ways, the Mavericks began the series by taking the victory in game one 3-2 thanks to a come from behind win, with them then exploding offensively in game two for a 9-1 run rule victory in five innings.
Colorado Mesa is now 27-9 (25-5 RMAC) after today's results with them now tied for first place in the conference standings with Colorado Christian. Fort Lewis College drops to 8-26 (7-22 RMAC) and remains in 10th place.
Below is a short recap of each game:
GAME 1 (CMU 3, FLC 2):
The Mavericks trailed by two runs with just six outs remaining in the opening game of the series but were able to overcome the deficit and turn out a win as they were led by Myah Arrieta who delivered clutch hitting to secure the win.
In the early innings of the contest, both teams played tight for three and a half innings with no runs being scored and only two hits being managed. That trend changed however when the bottom of the fourth inning came and the Skyhawks made their charge.
In that inning, four consecutive singles were hit by Fort Lewis with two runs coming in to give them the 2-0 lead. Makenna Milliman was the one who drove in both runs with her single clearing the runners on second and third base.
The Mavs attempted to retaliate shortly after with them having a bases loaded no outs situation in the top of the fifth inning but couldn't quite break the seal yet as they stranded all runners thanks to key pitching from the Skyhawks.
Still not out of the fight yet, the Mavs made another push in the sixth inning with this time being successful.
With both Cailynn Parsons and Bella Aragon reaching base, the Mavs brought Myah Arrieta up to the plate who delivered the biggest swing of the day in hitting a three-run home run to right field to now give Colorado Mesa the lead with just six outs to go.
The Mavs attempted to add to their lead in the seventh inning as they had two runners reach base on a double and a single, but couldn't bring them in.
Into the bottom of the seventh the Skyhawks were able to get a runner all the way to third base to bring the tying run into scoring position but couldn't mount a comeback of their own as the final two batters of the game struck out.
Limiting the Skyhawks offense and earning the gritty win for Colorado Mesa was starting pitcher Jessalyn Gallegos who went the complete game and improved to 13-1. She allowed just seven hits and two earned runs in her seven innings of work while striking out nine in 101 total pitches.
Beyond Arrieta's game-winning home run, the Mavs managed nine hits from their offense with seven different players recording at least one. Makayla Westmoreland and Bella Aragon were the only two players to have two hits each. Ally Distler also added a double in the win.
GAME 2 (CMU 9, FLC 1; 5 inn.):
Following a performance of clutch hitting, the Mavericks were able to extend on that area in game two of the day as they handily beat the Skyhawks in just five innings of work for their 10th run-rule victory of the season.
Scoring in every inning but the fourth, the Mavs used innings of two, one, two and four runs to hit their way to the win as they totaled 10 hits and nine RBIs off Fort Lewis pitching.
Chloe Valdez began the attack as she drove in both runs to start the game with her doubling in a pair in the first inning.
In the second, Myah Arrieta added to that lead as she tripled in the third run after a Bella Aragon single.
Exploding for their biggest inning of the day the Mavs tacked on four more runs in the fourth inning with Valdez and company doing more damage.
Valdez opened the fourth with a solo shot home run to make the game 4-0 with her then being followed up by four more hits. Olivia Litzen singled in the second run of the inning to make it 5-0 with her then being sequenced by Ava Stephens who singled in two more runs to have the Mavs lead by seven.
The Skyhawks managed one run back in the fourth inning but couldn't do any more damage as they struggled to square up the Maverick pitching.
Looking to put the game out of reach and secure the run-rule win, the Mavs added two runs in the fifth inning with Arrieta driving in the pair on another hit. Arrieta drove in Cailynn Parsons and Aragon who both reached on walks earlier in the inning.
Needing just three outs to end the game early the Mavs made quick work of the Fort Lewis hitters in the bottom of the fifth with just four batters coming to the plate.
Eight of Colorado Mesa's nine batters had hits in the game with both Arrieta and Valdez each leading the team at two apiece. The pair also combined for six of the team's RBIs in the lopsided victory.
Anchoring the potent offense in the circle was Preslee Christensen who got the game two start this weekend going another complete game and earning her sixth win. Christensen allowed just four hits and one run to the Skyhawks while striking out eight for a new season high.
UP NEXT
Finishing the series tomorrow, both teams will face off for another double header with action starting at 11 A.M. Streaming can be found on the RMAC Network with live stats also available.
