COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Chadron State scored seven runs in the first three innings but then didn't score for the next three across a doubleheader at UCCS, with the host Mountain Lions rallying to win game one 8-7 and game two 10-0 as the two teams began a four-game RMAC softball series.
Lauren Zimmerman hit two home runs in game one for the Eagles (7-7, 4-6 RMAC), giving her five in a three-game stretch dating back to last Monday against New Mexico Highlands. The Eagles went deep four times in game one, tied for their most long balls in a game this season.
UCCS (9-9, 4-6 RMAC) trailed 7-2 but used a five-run fourth inning to take an 8-7 lead as both teams were scoreless for the final two-and-a-half innings. Then, in game two, the Mountain Lions scored five runs apiece in the second and third innings to build a 10-0 lead and end the game after five via the run rule.
Tori Haug took the loss in the circle in game one, allowing seven runs (five earned) on nine hits in 3.1 innings despite six strikeouts. Reigning RMAC Pitcher of the Week
Belle Akins came on in relief and shut down the Mountain Lions, pitching 2.1 innings of one-run ball while allowing four hits.
Game one got off to a perfect start for the Eagles offensively. With one out,
J'lyssa Martinez doubled to right-center field before Zimmerman left the yard to straightaway center to give CSC a 2-0 lead after three batters.
Not to be outdone, cleanup hitter
Ashland Baca walked before five-hole hitter
Jazlyn Arvizo went yard to make it 4-0 in the top of the first, Arvizo's second home run of the season.
The Eagles added on with three home runs in the third on a pair of homers. Again, Martinez got on base with a single in front of Zimmerman, who homered for the second time in as many at-bats on the day to make it a 6-2 ballgame. This time, Baca wasted no time in going back-to-back, hitting her second blast of the year to center and giving CSC a 7-2 cushion.
Unfortunately, those would be the final runs of the day for the Eagles. UCCS chipped away, earning a run back in the third and chasing Haug in the fourth. After a leadoff home run, the Mountain Lions hit three singles and a double with one out before another two-out double drove home the go-ahead run as the home team pulled ahead, 8-7.
The Eagles went down in order in the fifth and sixth innings. In the seventh and final frame, CSC got two runners on base for the heart of the order with one out, but Zimmerman grounded out and Baca struck out to end the game.
In game one,
Kenzi Garner took the loss, allowing eight runs (five earned) in 2.1 innings. Freshman
Destrie Greiman finished out the game, pitching the final 1.2 innings and giving up two runs on two hits and a walk.
Offensively, the Eagles were limited to two hits in the second game of the day, with
J'lyssa Martinez and
Sophia Brennan finishing with a single apiece. Hannah Hunt pitched a complete game, two-hit shutout with four walks and six strikeouts for UCCS.
The two teams will face off again tomorrow to conclude the series. First pitch is set for 11 a.m. on Sunday with game two at approximately 1 p.m.
