COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs softball team gave up seven home runs to the Colorado Mesa Mavericks as they drop the first two games in the weekend four game set.
Inside The Matchup
Final: Game 1: UCCS 4, CMU 10 | Game 2: UCCS 1, CMU 9
Records: UCCS (19-19, 17-13 RMAC), CMU (35-5, 27-1 RMAC)
Location: Mountain Lion Field | Colorado Springs, Colo.
All-Time Series: The Mountain Lions move to 37-94 all-time against the Mavericks.
How It Happened | Game One
- It was a tough start for the Mountain Lions as they gave up five runs in the top of the first inning thanks to three home runs from the high-powered Mavericks lineup, including a three-run jack by Brandi Haller. The Mountain Lions began their comeback quickly in the bottom of the first inning with a leadoff home run by Morgan Hernandez-Belew, but that would be all they would get as the first ended with a 5-1 Mavericks lead.
- After the explosive first, both pitchers settled in, and the game became a full pitchers duel. Runners got on base but neither team managed to threaten. Braelyne Crenshaw really hit her stride, allowing just two hits over the next four innings.
- In the top of the sixth inning, Colorado Mesa would once again break through on the team's fourth home run of the game, this one a two-run shot by Nicole Christensen that would give the Mavericks a 7-1 lead. Colorado Mesa would add three more in the top of the seventh inning on the second three-run homer of the game for Haller and extended the CMU lead to 10-1.
- UCCS would try to mount a comeback attempt in the bottom of the seventh, loading the bases with one out. Mia Perez walked to get a run home, then a throwing error by Mesa would score two runs to get the score to 10-4, but that would be all for UCCS.
Stats From The Game | Game One
- Hernandez-Belew's solo home run was her sixth of the season.
- UCCS and CMU would both end up with seven hits in the first game.
- Crenshaw went 6+ innings allowing eight runs (four earned), allowing six hits, four walks, and four strikeouts. Mackenzie Rutkoff came in relief in the seventh inning and allowed two runs (both earned) on one hit, with one walk and two strikeouts.
How It Happened | Game Two
- Colorado Mesa would strike first in the top of the first inning thanks to the third three-run home run on the afternoon for Haller. UCCS would go down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the frame to keep the score 3-0.
- In the top of the second inning, Lexi Rayburn was hit with a line drive that would take her out of the game and be replaced by Gabrielle Cronin. Upon entering, she would give up an RBI single to extend the Mesa lead to 4-0. The Mountain Lions would get a run back on a solo bomb to dead center field by Paige White that would cut the lead to 4-1. That wouldn't last long as Haller launched her fourth home run of the afternoon and extended the Maverick lead to 6-1. A couple of errors would help the Colorado Mesa score two more runs and grow the lead to 8-1.
- In the top of fifth inning, CMU would scrape a run out with a two-out single to center field to give them the 9-1 lead and would finish off the mercy rule in the bottom of the frame to end the game.
Stats From The Game | Game Two
- White's home run was her ninth of the season.
- UCCS got outhit by CMU 8-3.
- Lexi Rayburn went 1.1 innings, allowing four runs (one earned) on two hits and a walk with a strikeout. Cronin stepped in with 3.2 innings pitched while allowing five runs (three earned) on six hits and four walks with two strikeouts.
Beyond The Box Score
- With home runs in both games, UCCS has now hit home runs in four straight games.
- Haller's big day equated to four home runs and 11 runs batted in.
Up Next
- The Mountain Lions will wrap up their series against Colorado Mesa tomorrow with a double header starting at 11 a.m. at Mountain Lion Field.
SOCIAL
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As a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, the University of Colorado Colorado Springs competes in 16 varsity sports in NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletics.
