LAKEWOOD, Colo. – The Colorado Mesa University softball team rallied all the way back to have the game winning run stand 90 feet away this afternoon but fell just short as they suffered a 6-5 loss to UCCS to conclude their season at the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Softball Championships here at All Star Park.
The Mavericks trailed the entire contest before rallying back to score four runs over the final three innings to have a chance at winning but were put away on a soft lineout to end the game ultimately concluding their year.
The Mavs finish the 2026 season with an overall record of 28-25 with this also being just the first time they haven't won a game at the RMAC Tournament since 2014. All years before this were in a double elimination format as well.
The Mountain Lions scored four of their five runs in the first two innings to back the early lead with them tacking on three initially in the first inning and adding another in the second.
They had six hits during that time with the first three batters of the game all reaching base.
TK Landes was able to grab one run back in the bottom of the second inning on a solo shot home run to put Colorado Mesa in the scoring column but it wasn't until the fifth inning that the Mavs were able to score again.
The Mountain Lions scored in the fifth inning as well making it 5-1 but thanks to a two RBI single from April Neill in the bottom of the inning the Mavs then made it a bit closer at 5-3.
UCCS once again tacked on a run in the top of sixth to try to and maintain their lead, but Landes would come up big again that inning with her singling to center field to drive in another run.
The Mavs held the Mountain Lions scoreless in the top of the seventh to continue their strong play before then making their final push in their last at bats.
Makayla Westmoreland tripled to begin the rally with Neill then hitting a single to bring her in to make it just a one-run game.
Paige Pierce recorded another hit afterwards with runners ultimately reaching second and third base for a walk off chance but UCCS pitching narrowly prevailed as they forced CMU's final batter to be retired.
The Mavs were barely outhit 12-11 in the game but were guilty of stranding eight base runners.
Sophia Tassinari was charged with the loss after going the first five innings of the game and allowing five runs on 10 hits.
She finishes her Junior campaign with an overall record of 15-14 and an ERA of 3.72.
Marisa Nehm would finish out the final two innings while scattering two hits and one run in what was her final outing of her CMU career.
Molli Magaña, Cailynn Parsons, Neill and Landes all collected two hits in the game as well to lead the offense.
Westmoreland and Landes were the other two Seniors to conclude their careers after this game.
Colorado Mesa will now head into the offseason with them next seeing action in February of 2027. Player and team awards are to be released in the coming weeks.
