GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs was victimized by the long ball on Sunday against Colorado Mesa University as the Mavericks slammed five home runs on the day to secure two wins and complete the series sweep of the Mountain Lions.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final Game One: UCCS 0, CMU 10 (5 Innings) | Final Game Two: UCCS 0, CMU 5
Records: UCCS (8-21, 5-15 RMAC), CMU (19-8, 17-2 RMAC)
Location: CMU Softball Field | Grand Junction, Colo.
All-Time Series: The Mountain Lions fall to 37-101 in the all-time series against the Mavericks.
HOW IT HAPPENED | GAME ONE
- The Mavericks got the scoring started in the bottom half of the second inning with an RBI groundout by Dakota DiPaola giving CMU a 1-0 lead.
- Colorado Mesa would break out the long ball in the bottom of the third frame with solo home runs from Myah Arrieta, Ashley Bradford, and Brandi Haller stretching the Maverick's lead to 4-0.
- The offensive barrage from the Mavericks continued in the home half of the fourth inning when CMU added six more runs to their tally, capped by a three run home run off the bat of Iliana Mendoza that made it a 10-0 ballgame.
- For a second straight day, the Mountain Lions had a tough time generating any offense against CMU pitcher Hannah Sattler, who pitched five scoreless innings to secure a 10-0 run-rule victory in game three of the series.
STATS FROM THE GAME | GAME ONE
- The Mountain Lions recorded two baserunners in the game, with hits from Mia Perez and Cassidy Hubner being the only offensive action against Sattler.
- Sophomore Mackenzie Rutkoff (1-4) drew the start inside the circle for game three of the series and wound up taking her fourth loss of the season after surrendering three earned runs off five hits and two walks.
- Senior Lexi Rayburn tossed the final two innings for the Mountain Lions and allowed seven hits and seven runs across her outing.
- The Maverick offense totaled 12 hits in the game, with exactly half of them being of the extra-base variety, including four home runs and two doubles.
- Sattler earned her second win of the series with her five scoreless innings pitched. For the weekend, she held the Mountain Lions scoreless across 12 innings of work with 12 strikeouts and just eight hits allowed.
HOW IT HAPPENED | GAME TWO
- The first five innings of the series finale against the Mavericks saw UCCS' Braelyne Crenshaw and CMU's Marisa Nehm engaging in a pitcher's duel with the only run scored coming on a solo home run from Colorado Mesa infielder Myah Arrieta.
- With the UCCS deficit still at just one run heading to the bottom of the sixth inning, the vaunted Maverick offense woke up and strung five singles and two walks together to put a four-spot on the scoreboard and extend their advantage to 5-0.
- The Mountain Lions threatened to crack the scoreboard in the top of the seventh inning as they loaded the bases with just one out in the frame, but pinch-hitter Cassidy Hubner rolled into a 1-2-3 double play to end the game as the Mavericks finished off the series sweep with a 5-0 win.
STATS FROM THE GAME | GAME TWO
- UCCS notched five hits in the final game of the series with all five being singles.
- Crenshaw (1-9) took the loss inside the circle as she surrendered five earned runs on ten hits and four walks while striking out six Maverick hitters.
- Colorado Mesa's Marisa Nehm was stellar inside the circle, tossing a seven-inning shutout with just five hits and one walk allowed.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- On Sunday, the Mountain Lions were shutout in both ends of a doubleheader for the first time since April 6, 2019, against Colorado Christian University.
UP NEXT
- The Mountain Lions will continue their road trip next weekend as they head to Alamosa, Colo., to take on Adams State University for a four-game set at ASU Softball Field on March 25-26.
SOCIAL
Twitter – @GoMountainLions
Instagram – @gomountainlions
Facebook – GoMountainLions
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.
