CHADRON, Neb. – Chadron State hung right with RMAC power Colorado Christian during the first two games between the two programs, but didn't have the same fortune on Saturday as the Eagles fell by 9-1 and 13-0 margins to close out the series.
After a first day that saw both Friday games stay scoreless through four innings, Colorado Christian scored five runs in the first inning twice to race off to insurmountable margins and eventually end both games in five innings.
Chadron State is now 9-21 overall and 5-19 in the RMAC. Colorado Christian continues to lead the conference. Colorado Christian stays in first place in the RMAC standings after its two victories, improving to 26-8 overall and 22-2 in the league.
The Eagles managed six hits over the two games against CCU's league-best pitching staff, which lowered its team ERA to 1.98.
Jazlyn Arvizo went 2-for-2 in the opening game, driving home CSC's only run of the day, while
Lauren Zimmerman went 1-for-2 in each game.
CSC starting pitchers
Tori Haug and
Kenzi Garner, who stymied the Cougar lineup on Friday, both got hit harder in their second starts. Haug pitched 4.2 innings, giving up seven earned runs of her nine runs allowed on seven hits and four walks while striking out two. Haug recovered from a five-run first inning to give up just one run over the next three frames before CCU scored three times in the fifth to reach the eight-run margin needed to end the game.
Kenzi Garner, who pitched six one-run innings a day ago, only recorded one out before being lifted for freshman
Belle Akins with CSC already trailing 5-0. Akins pitched the bulk of game two, with a final line of 3.1 innings pitched and four earned runs allowed on four hits with a walk and a strikeout.
CCU did most of their damage after the five-run first with a seven-run fourth inning to make it 13-0. Fellow freshman arm
Destrie Greiman came in the game with the score 9-0 and pitched 0.1 innings while allowing three runs on four hits.
Chadron State is emerging from a tough part of their schedule, with the Eagles having played the top two teams in the RMAC standings over the last two weeks and having played 20 consecutive games against teams in the top five of the 12-team RMAC.
The Eagles will return home to face Regis (10-20, 9-12 RMAC), who currently sits seventh, for a four-game set next Saturday and Sunday, with first pitch set for 12 p.m. on Saturday.
