GOLDEN, Colo. – University of Colorado Colorado Springs freshman shortstop
Melissa Martinek went a combined four-of-five today at the plate with her seventh home run of the season as the Mountain Lions (17-19, 14-17 RMAC) dropped a 13-4 game in five innings and a 3-2 game at Colorado Mines (17-20, 15-15 RMAC).
Martinek and
Lexi Belligan scored for the Mountain Lions in the fourth inning of the first game to answer the Orediggers' 12-0 start during the first three innings. Colorado Mines scored one more in the bottom of the fifth and Martinek closed the gap with a two-run home run to right center field to score
Nikki Hoffman.
Dani Fonseca reached first on a single with one out in the fifth, but the Mountain Lions wouldn't score again to prevent the run-rule 13-4 decision in the morning game.
Martinek went two-of-two at the plate with both hits for extra bases after she recorded a double in the first inning. Fonseca took the loss in the game in her ninth start of the season.
The Mountain Lions took advantage of a fielding error in the third inning to score the first run of the afternoon game with a single from
Haley Smith to score Hoffman from second base. Colorado Mines answered with a single run in the bottom of the third with a leadoff single that eventually scored.
UCCS put runners on second and third in the top of the fourth with two outs but a fly out to left field prevented the Mountain Lions from retaking the lead.
Haley Smith used eight pitches to retire the Orediggers in order in the bottom of the fourth to keep the score at 1-1. Colorado Mines took its first lead of the game in the fifth with a home run to left field for a 3-1 advantage.
The Mountain Lions scored one more run in the sixth inning and had the game-tying run thrown out at the plate after Cusimano scored earlier in the play. UCCS had the game-tying run tagged out at home plate in the seventh inning for the first out, but was able to load the bases with two outs. A strikeout ended the chance for the Mountain Lions to tie or take the lead in the 3-2 setback to finish the series.
Haley Smith went three-of-four at the plate in the second game in the complete game appearance in the pitching circle. Martinek went two-of-three in the second game and had a hit in each of the four games this weekend.
UCCS will play the final home series of the regular season next weekend with a four-game slate against MSU Denver. The teams will play doubleheaders on Saturday at noon and on Sunday at 11 a.m. The Roadrunners (25-15, 20-8 RMAC) are second in the conference standings and split a four-game series with Regis this weekend.
