LUBBOCK, Texas. – Chadron State softball rode effective pitching to a 2-0 day, as the trio of Belle Akins, Kenzi Garner and Tori Haug allowed just three runs across 14 innings while defeating Sul Ross State 4-1 and Texas-Permian Basin 4-2 at the Lubbock Sports College Invitational. 

The two victories improve the Eagles to 3-1 on both the season and the weekend. Chadron State was scheduled to play one more game on Sunday morning, but that game has been cancelled due to impending weather. 

Akins, a true freshman from Elkhorn, Nebraska, made her collegiate debut in the circle during game one against Sul Ross State and sparkled. Akins went the distance on 82 pitches, scattering seven hits and allowing just one run with a walk and a strikeout. 

Garner and Haug, who each through complete games during Friday's action, tag-teamed the second game on Saturday against UTPB. Garner got the start and threw five two-run innings, allowing just five hits and striking out four. Haug slammed the door in relief, pitching two perfect innings with two strikeouts and earning the win after CSC took the lead in the bottom of the sixth. 

Game one began with Akins facing the minimum in her first college inning after Sul Ross's Alexandra Ramos singled with one out but was gunned down trying to steal second by catcher Sophia Brennan. Akins wound up retiring the Lobos in order in three of the next four innings and only allowed a run on a fielder's choice in the third. 

Trailing 1-0, Chadron State took the lead in the bottom half of the inning. Sydney Loyet and Aliyah Rothstein hit back-to-back singles, with Rothstein reaching on a bunt, before J'lyssa Martinez doubled down the left field line to score both runners and give the Eagles a 2-1 lead. 

The Eagles added on in the fifth when Rothstein left the yard for her first home run of the season to lead off the frame. With one out, Martinez hit another double and came around to score on Ashland Baca's two-out single to left field. 

Sul Ross State tried to threaten in the late innings, but Brennan threw out another baserunner attempting to steal third in the sixth and Akins escaped a two-on, nobody out jam to preserve the 4-1 win. 

Against Texas-Permian Basin, both teams manufactured offense without the benefit of a hit. Chadron State took the lead in the bottom of the second inning with two walks and two stolen bases to put runners on second and third before Loyet dropped down a sacrifice bunt that scored a run. 

The Falcons responded in the fourth, getting a run on a walk, error and passed ball before the first hit of the inning scored a second runner to give UTPB a 2-1 lead. The Eagles responded with an unearned run of their own in the bottom half to knot up the score. 

The big hit of the night came in the bottom of the sixth inning. With one out, J'Lyssa Martinez walked and Lauren Zimmermann singled to put runners on for Angelina Quezada with two away. Quezada hit a sinking line drive that was nearly caught by a diving Falcons outfielder, but it fell for a base hit to score both runners and give the Eagles the lead plus insurance. 

Haug ensured there would be no more drama in the seventh, retiring the Falcons in order on two strikeouts and a groundout. 

With no game Sunday, the Eagles will head home and prepare for RMAC play starting Saturday, February 15 on the road against CSU Pueblo.