GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – The Colorado Mesa University softball team fell twice in a pair of low-scoring pitching battles this afternoon as they completed their first day doubleheader action against UCCS at CMU Softball Field.

Just a combined six runs were managed in the two games played today with the Mavericks dropping both contests by scores of 1-0 and 4-1. 24 hits in total were also managed but only four of the 28 frames on the day featured runs.

This was just second time the Mavs have been shutout in conference play and fourth time over the entire season.

Colorado Mesa now owns an overall record of 17-13 (16-6 RMAC) while UCCS improves to 19-12 (13-9 RMAC).

Below is a short recap of each game:

GAME 1 (UCCS 1, CMU 0):

Playing in their first one-run ball game since Mar. 1 against MSU Denver, the Mavs fell in a pitching duel to start the day as the Mountain Lions did just enough to hold CMU at bay.

Both pitchers had complete game performances with UCCS's Autumn Kunze barely beating out CMU's Sophia Tassinari as each faced under 30 batters apiece. Tassinari moves to 10-6 with the loss while Kunze improved to 8-2.

Over the course of the entire game there were 20 fly outs and 13 ground outs with six batters falling via strike out. In addition, Colorado Mesa turned three double plays.

Just 12 hits were combined between the two teams with the Mountain Lions owning a 9-3 advantage.

The game-winning run came when UCCS was able to use a single and a fly out to move the runner to second base in the sixth inning before a timely hit down the right field line knocked in the game's only run.

Colorado Mesa managed two base runners in the bottom of the seventh to potentially come back but was fouled out to end the game.

Makayla Westmoreland had two of the Mavs' hits while Molli Magaña had the other.

GAME 2 (UCCS 4, CMU 1):

The Mavs fell in another low-scoring affair to end their day as UCCS was boosted by two long balls and late offense while relying on another strong pitching performance to secure the win.

The Mountain Lions scored all four of their runs in just two separate innings with three of them coming in the seventh.

They scored once early on in the fourth inning with that run coming from a solo home run.

They then put up a three-spot in the seventh with them using another solo home run, a triple and a sacrifice fly to build the lead.

The game looked to be in the Mountain Lions' favor with them poised for another shutout but not after the Mavs caused some action in the bottom of the seventh.

Four straight batters reached base that frame with Olivia Litzen driving in the Mavs' first run of the day on a single to left field.

Colorado Mesa was then one swing away from potentially winning the game with the bases loaded but relief pitching from the Mountain Lions instead ended the game on the next three batters.

The game featured 11 frames with zeros with only 12 hits combined.

Marisa Nehm pitched a complete game for the Mavs while only giving up six of those hits and four runs. She was charged with the loss and moves 6-4.

Six different Mavs had one hit apiece while Litzen was the only player with an RBI for Colorado Mesa.

UP NEXT:

The Mavs and Mountain Lions will continue the series tomorrow when they take part in another double header starting at 11 a.m. Tickets can be purchased online at cmumavericks.com/tickets