GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – The Colorado Mesa University softball team totaled 32 runs and seven home runs this afternoon as they erupted for an offensive onslaught in their final day double header sweep against Fort Lewis College to win the series at CMU Softball Field.
The Mavericks won both games by scores of 16-1 and 16-8 with each of the contests going just five innings via the mercy rule. The Mavs in turn win the series 3-1, with this being their first series win since Mar. 22 against Adams State.
This was Colorado Mesa's sixth conference series win overall on the season with them now improving to 21-19 (20-12 RMAC). In addition, they have now hit the 20-win mark for 21 consecutive seasons, minus the COVID-shortened year in 2020.
The Skyhawks moved to 8-34 (7-25 RMAC) with the losses with their win yesterday against the Mavs being the only time they've won on the road this season.
Below is a short recap of each game:
GAME 1 (CMU 16, FLC 1; 5 inn.):
The Mavs exploded for a new season-high in runs in game one of the day as they scored early in often in what was a one-sided game from the start.
The Mavs scored in three of the four innings possible in the game with their 10-run first being the most runs scored in any inning this season.
During that inning they recorded three home runs while totaling seven hits.
Molli Magaña, April Neill and Makayla Westmoreland all recorded those home runs with Magaña's and Westmoreland's being two-run shots and Neill's being a three-run.
The duo of Cailynn Parsons and Brynn Escobar would also manage RBIs with Parsons having a double and Escobar having a sacrifice fly.
The Mavs brought 13 batters to the plate in the first inning alone with there being 27 at bats in just four frames of offense.
In the second inning, the Mavs added five more runs to build the lead with another home run being managed and six hits doing the damage.
Kamdyn Hagerty hit a two-run long ball to begin the inning with Escobar adding a bases-loaded walk and Magaña hitting a fielder's choice to bring in another.
Westmoreland then brought in the fifth run on an RBI single to center field.
Later in the third, Ava Stephens then brought in the Mavs' 16th and final run on another fielder's choice.
The Skyhawks narrowly scored a run in the top of the fourth to evade the shutout but saw that be the only bright spot from their offense throughout the entire game.
In total the Mavs had 15 hits while seeing five different players have multi-hit performances. Eight different players would also record at least one RBI.
Sophia Tassinari pitched the complete five innings while allowing just five hits, one run and striking out two as she improved her record to 12-10 on the year.
GAME 2 (CMU 16, FLC 8; 5 inn.):
Matching their run total from game one, the Mavs put away the Skyhawks to close out the weekend in game two as they secured the series win in another five-inning affair.
The Mavs scored in four of the five innings in this game with them eventually ending the game in the bottom of the fifth on wild pitch mercy-rule walk off.
The Skyhawks initially led in the game with a two-run home run in the first inning to go ahead but saw their lead quickly dissipate as the Mavs put up a six-spot in the bottom of the inning.
Aprill Neill and Kamdyn Hagerty began that scoring with back-to-back home runs to put up the first four runs with TK Landes then driving in another on a fielder's choice and Cailynn Parsons adding the sixth run when she stole home.
Neill's home run was a three-run bomb with Hagerty's being a solo shot. They both had two home runs on the day.
The Mavs added two more runs in the second inning to build their lead with Khloe Kubitschek driving in one on a single to center field and Cailynn Parsons recording a sacrifice fly to center as well.
Fort Lewis responded with three runs in the top of the third on a trio of hits, but the Mavs once again kept their offensive ways going in the bottom of the inning as they then scored seven more times.
Brynn Escobar, Molli Magaña, Hagerty, Khloe Kubitschek and TK Landes all were responsible for driving in those runs with the Mavs having five hits.
Magaña also recorded a two-run home run during that frame with this being her third home run of the day.
The Mavs were just three outs away from ending the game in the top of the fifth inning, but the Skyhawks were able to prolong the outcome as they scored three runs to evade the run-rule decision for the time being.
Luckily the Mavs then ended the game in the bottom of the fifth on a wild pitch to seal the mercy rule as both of today's game totaled to only 9.2 innings of play.
Colorado Mesa finished the game with 12 hits to Fort Lewis' 11 while the Mavs had four players with multiple hits. Hagerty led that bunch with three herself.
Marisa Nehm earned the while going the first 4.1 innings of the game before giving way to Sophia Tassinari who pitched the final two outs.
UP NEXT:
The Mavs will remain at home next weekend as they host Colorado Christian for another 4-game conference series. Games are set for Mar. 28 (Sat.) and 29 (Sun.) with doubleheaders taking place each day. Games on Saturday will also be a part of the university's Beach Bash Weekend.
