GOLDEN, Colo. – Chadron State came from behind twice to seal a well-earned series split with Colorado School of Mines, winning 5-3 and 7-6 on Sunday at Joe Coors, Jr. Field in Golden. 

The Eagles weathered a three-run Mines first inning to score the final five runs of game one before using a four-run sixth inning to eventually take a 7-3 lead in game two and hanging on as Mines pulled within a run in the final frame. 

Lauren Zimmerman highlighted the Eagles' offensive performances with a four-RBI night, including a key, tiebreaking three-run home run to give CSC the lead in Sunday's second game. 

The Eagles also received much improved pitching in the circle. Tori Haug rebounded from a three-inning start Saturday to throw a complete-game victory for the Eagles in game one, allowing just three runs on seven hits with six strikeouts against no walks. 

In the second game, Kenzi Garner battled for six-plus innings, allowing two earned runs across her first six innings of work. Belle Akins came on out of the pen for the final three outs in the seventh, earning her third save of the season. 

After the 2-0 day, Chadron State sits at 14-24 overall and 10-22 in RMAC play. Mines falls to 13-29 overall and 12-19 in the RMAC. 

Mines struck immediately in the first game, hitting a three-run home run to take a 3-0 lead, but Chadron clawed back. The Eagles took advantage of a two-out dropped fly ball that allowed Katelyn Czerpak to reach and pinch-runner Elia DeLozier to score before an Aliyah Rothstein triple brought home a second unearned run. 

Chadron State tied it in the third inning on an RBI double from J'lyssa Martinez, then took the lead in the fourth, manufacturing a run on a Sydney Loyet walk, Czerpak sac bunt, Rothstein single and Jazlyn Arvizo sacrifice fly before adding an unearned insurance run in the sixth. 

Haug's pitching held the lead, as the senior faced just one batter over the minimum over the final three innings and had two strikeouts in the sixth inning on her way to improving her record to 6-12. 

In game two, the Eagles had four of their first five batters collect hits in the first inning. Rothstein singled to lead off the game and Zimmerman doubled her over to third before Ashland Baca and J'lyssa Martinez singled home runs. 

Trailing 3-2 in the sixth, CSC put together a four-run rally, all with two outs. With pinch-runner Kendall Petty on third, Aliyah Rothstein worked a walk to extend the frame before Jazlyn Arvizo poked a single over the second baseman's head to tie the score. Zimmerman followed with the biggest hit of the night, sending a 2-1 pitch over the wall to straightaway center field for the senior's team-leading 10^th home run of the season, giving CSC a 6-3 advantage. 

The Eagles added an insurance run in the seventh on a Sydney Loyet sacrifice fly and ended up needing it. With a 7-3 lead entering the final inning, Garner allowed a leadoff double followed by a two-run blast to RMAC home run leader Cassidy Chvatal. The Eagles brought in Akins, who gave up a solo home run to the first hitter she faced, cutting the Eagles' lead to one. 

Despite the leadoff homer, the freshman held her nerve. Akins retired each of the next three batters, two by strikeout, to punctuate the undefeated day for the Eagles. Akins' three saves are now tied for third in the RMAC. 

The Eagles will play at home for the first time in nearly a month next weekend, when they host Fort Lewis on Saturday and Sunday, April 12-13. First pitch Saturday is scheduled for noon.