DENVER -- April 7, 2018 -- Chadron State College softball lost a pair of close Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference games Saturday at Regency Athletic Complex in downtown Denver, as the homestanding Metropolitan State University of Denver team took wins of 1-0 and 3-1, allowing one earned run on eight hits over 14 innings.

In the noon game, the two teams were knotted in a scoreless tie through four innings, before MSUD's Serena Espinoza hit a solo homer in the fifth for the game's only run.

Despite the loss, CSC pitcher Jessica Jarecki struck out eight and walked none in six innings in the circle. She allowed only four other hits besides the winning home run. Darby McGhee picked up the win for the home team.

In the afternoon, the Eagles again remained competitive until late in the second game, recovering from an 0-1 deficit in the sixth. CSC strung together a single, a walk, and an RBI double by Jessica Kleine which scored Ellie Owens to tie the game at one apiece.

However, once again the Eagles were undone by a clutch MSUD homer, as Annika Anderson hit a two-run shot with two out in the bottom of the seventh for the 3-1 walkoff.

Losing pitcher Megan Horn allowed six total hits in six and two-thirds innings. CSC was held to three hits by winning pitcher Kylee Burnside.

Chadron State fell to 11-22 (9-14 RMAC), while MSU Denver improved to 21-19 (16-10 RMAC). 

The foes meet again at noon Sunday.