COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs softball team was swept in their doubleheader against the Colorado Mesa University Mavericks on Monday. The Mountain Lions were only able to muster four hits across the two games, as CMU's offense continued their red-hot weekend with a pair of run-rule wins.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final: Game 1: UCCS 1, CMU 15 (5 innings) | Game 2: UCCS 0, CMU 12 (6 innings)
Records: UCCS (11-14, 8-8 RMAC), CMU (15-7, 13-3 RMAC)
Location: Mountain Lion Field | Colorado Springs, Colo.
All-Time Series: The Mountain Lions fall to 37-105 all-time against the Mavericks.
HOW IT HAPPENED | GAME ONE
- The Mavericks once again jumped out to an early lead, putting early pressure on starting pitcher, Autumn Kunze. A three-run home run from Ally Distler in the first inning, followed by a Miranda Pruitt grand slam in the second, ballooned the early CMU lead to 8-0.
- Colorado Mesa continued to add to their advantage in the third inning, as they saw three more runs come across. A bases loaded walk followed by a two RBI single from Chloe Valdez grew the lead to 11-0 in favor of the visitors.
- The Mountain Lions got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth inning. After reaching via a throwing error, Laynee Case came around to score thanks to an RBI single up the middle from Jada Montoya. This rally was quickly stifled by CMU starting pitcher, Preslee Christensen, who tallied her fourth strike out of the game to get the Mavericks out of the inning.
- With the lead now 11-1 in favor of CMU, the visitors added four more runs in the top of the fifth inning, punctuated by Distler's second three-run home run of the afternoon. The Mountain Lions went down in order in the bottom of the fifth, dropping the first game of Monday's doubleheader, 15-1.
STATS FROM THE GAME | GAME ONE
- The Mountain Lions were only able to log two hits in game one, with Jennavieve Goldsworth and Montoya each recording one.
- Kunze drew the start, pitching 1.2 innings and allowing eight runs on six hits. Kailey Bond entered the game in the second inning, contributing 2.1 innings of work. She allowed five earned runs before giving way to Mackenzie Rutkoff, who pitched the final inning of the game, allowing only one run.
HOW IT HAPPENED | GAME TWO
- It was Caydee Farnworth who got the start in the series finale, and the sophomore was lights out in the first two frames. The reigning RMAC pitcher of the week was efficient in the early going, allowing only one hit. The Mountain Lion defense was also impressive, as Goldsworth snagged a line drive, turning it into an inning ending double play.
- In the top of the third inning, the Mavericks broke the scoreless tie as Myah Arrieta launched a two-run home run over the left field fence. In the fourth inning, Arrieta continued her hot day at the plate, as she hit a grand slam for her second home run in as many innings. An RBI single added to the lead, as CMU saw a 7-0 advantage through four innings.
- Starting pitcher Christa Zagala was lights out for CMU in game two of Monday's doubleheader. After giving up a single in the bottom of the first inning, she retired 14 Mountain Lions in a row. She gave up one more hit in the bottom of the sixth inning but limited the damage to just that. The Mavericks tagged on five runs in the top of the sixth inning, by way of two-run and three-run home runs, as they completed the series sweep, winning this game by a score of 12-0.
STATS FROM THE GAME | GAME TWO
- Singles by Jacqueline Berkowitz and Laynee Case were the only offense the Mountain Lions were able to put up in game two of the doubleheader.
- Farnworth was credited with the loss as she gave up seven runs in four innings of action. Rutkoff once again was called out of the bullpen, as she pitched two innings, giving up five runs while striking out two batters.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- The Mountain Lions were done in by the long ball during the series against Colorado Mesa as the Mavericks smacked 15 home runs in the four-game set with 37 of their 52 total runs coming on those homers.
UP NEXT
- The Mountain Lions will be back at home on Friday, March 15th, as they kick off a four-game series against the Colorado Christian University Cougars. First pitch will be at approximately 12 p.m. from Mountain Lion Field.
SOCIAL
Twitter – @GoMountainLions
Instagram – @gomountainlions
Facebook – GoMountainLions
As a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, the University of Colorado Colorado Springs competes in 14 varsity sports in NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletics.
