LAS VEGAS, N.M. – The Colorado Mesa University softball team split a final day double header against the New Mexico Highlands University Cowgirls this afternoon as they claimed their fourth straight conference series win at NMHU Softball Field.
The Mavericks played to nearly flipped results today with them taking the first game by a score of 9-1 before falling in a five inning mercy-rule in game two, 11-2.
The Mavs outscored the Cowgirls 31-16 in the series while recording a new season-high in hits in game two (17). Over the entire series 45 hits were managed in total.
Colorado Mesa is now 13-11 on the season and 12-4 in the RMAC. They are one of just two teams to win every conference series they have played so far.
New Mexico Highlands moves to 8-20 (6-10 RMAC).
Below is a short recap of each game:
GAME 1 (CMU 9, NMHU 1):
The Mavs were able to claim the series win in game one of the day as they scored in four of the frames, including a decisive six-run seventh inning.
They first took the lead in the second inning with April Neill bringing in the initial run on a single to shortstop.
Colorado Mesa then added to their lead by hitting the first of their four home runs on the day in the third inning with Brynn Escobar launching a solo shot.
The Cowgirls got one run back on a pair of doubles in the bottom of the third but only saw themselves record three other hits the entire game.
Still a close game at 2-1 in favor of the Mavs, Tegan Medina was able to help build on the lead in the sixth inning with her hitting a solo home run as well.
The CMU offense then relied on their final two home runs of the day to put up six runs in the seventh inning as the duo of TK Landes and Medina each had three-run home runs to put the game away.
The Mavs had six hits in that final inning with seven different runners reaching base.
Sophia Tassinari bolstered the pitching duties while recording her second complete game of the weekend allowing just five hits and one run on four strikeouts. She improves to 8-5 on the season while still leading the RMAC in innings pitched.
Medina finished the game going 3-4 with a team-leading four RBIs.
April Neill was 2-4 with one RBI while Landes added three RBIs herself.
GAME 2 (NMHU 11, CMU 2; 5 inn.):
Falling short of the sweep in game four, the Mavs played to a tied game through three innings before a devasting nine-run fourth would put them away.
Both teams tacked one run on the board in the first inning with Khloe Kubitschek driving in the Mavs' run and the Cowgirls getting theirs from double.
Another run was managed by the Mavs in the second to lead the game 2-1 with them taking advantage of two errors and Jenna Salcido scoring in the chaos.
NMHU was able to tie the game up in the third after a pair of extra base hits made it two apiece.
The game looked to be a pitching duel in the making but the Cowgirls exploded offensively instead in the fourth inning scoring nine runs on seven hits.
They were able to finish the game early in the top of the fifth after facing four CMU batters.
Marisa Nehm was charged with the loss, moving her season-long record to 5-3.
The Cowgirls outhit the Mavs 11-3 in the finale with five of their hits being for extra bases.
Kubitschek, Jenna Salcido and Makayla Westmoreland had each of the Mavs' hits.
UP NEXT:
The Mavs will return to Grand Junction for a 8-game home stretch now as they host Adams State University this next weekend on 21st and 22nd at CMU Softball Field. Games will begin at noon on the 21st with the theme of the day being "Strike Out Cancer."
