LAS VEGAS – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs opened the Ricki Rothbauer era with a season-opening 4-2 win against Nebraska-Kearney and an 8-7 win against California State-San Bernardino on the first day of the 2016 Desert Stinger Classic at Majestic Park. Stephanie Chitkowski pitched the complete game in the season-opener while Leigh Lancaster went three-of-three at the plate against the Coyotes. Freshman Melissa Martinek hit her first collegiate home run in the second game.

The Mountain Lions jumped to a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning against Nebraska-Kearney. Lexi Belligan drove in two runs with a double on the pitch after a Dani Fonseca double scored Whitney Weber from third base. Makenna Smith hit a double to score Belligan in the four-run inning for UCCS.

Through the first four innings, Chitkowski pitched a shutout and allowed only one hit against the Lopers. Nebraska-Kearney scored its two runs on a home run in the top of the fifth, and after the hit, Chitkowski used four pitches to secure the final two outs of the inning with a groundout and flyout. Both teams earned one more hit for the rest of the game as UCCS secured the season-opening 4-2 victory against the Lopers.