The Mavericks were able to keep the regular season title in their sights as they were able to split the weekend with Colorado Christian University in Lakewood, Colo.
After a rough first day of games on Saturday the Mavericks were able to bounce back with two wins on Sunday.
Colorado Mesa University (CMU) found the recipe for success against a tough Cougars team as they won 3-1 in game one Sunday and 11-0 in game two.
The Mavericks played from behind in game one as CCU’s Piper Lujan singled to center field, scoring Sami Edwards in the first against redshirt junior pitcher Ellie Smith.
Smith then kept the Cougars silent as CMU’s bats went to work in the fourth inning.
With outfielders redshirt sophomore Illiana Mendoza and redshirt junior Brandi Haller on base redshirt junior Ashley Bradford hit a three run home run. The homerun from Bradford would eventually end up being the winning factor for the Mavericks.
The Mavericks bats were not done there as they were able to mercy rule CCU in six innings in the series finale.
After having not her best outing in the circle on Saturday, redshirt senior Paige Adair threw her second no-hitter of the season. Her first one came against New Mexico Highlands University on the road in Las Vegas, N.M. Adair also moved to 14-2 on the season as she got the win.
Adair was able to throw the complete six innings for the no-hitter. She was able to strike out five of the 23 batters that she faced. She only gave up three walks as well. The Maverick was able to rely on her defense as she produced 12 fly ball outs.
This one was all Mavericks at the plate as the team continues to use their power at the plate.
Sophomore catcher Ally Distler hit her 16 home run of the season as she hit a two run shot to left center field in the second inning. CMU was just getting started as Bradford doubled in the inning as she scored redshirt junior outfielder Lauren Wedman.
Sophomore infielder Sarah Jorissen had a big impact on the second game as she hit not one but two home runs against two different Cougar pitchers. Jorissen’s first home run came in the third as she hit a solo homerun down the left field line.
Jorissen then was able to close out the game for the Mavericks as she hit a two run home run to give the Mavericks their 10 and 11 runs in the game.
In between Jorissen’s two home runs, Bradford was able to get in on the action as well for the Mavericks as in the fourth she was able to score off of a wild pitch. She then hit a grand slam to left field giving the Mavericks a 9-0 advantage.
In the series opener on Saturday, the first two innings looked like it was going to be a pitching duel but it turned into a slugfest in the third inning.
CMU was able to score first as Bradford singled, scoring Mendoza. A sacrifice fly from freshman infielder Myah Arrieta scored Wedman allowing the Mavericks to get the 2-0 advantage. Smith then came through with another single, scoring Bradford.
CCU then took over on the offensive end of the game and did not slow down once they got something going with their bats.
Edwards was able to reach on an error by Arrieta at second base that allowed Miki Berg to score. The error also allowed Kenzie Middleton to advance to third.
After Sydney Reamer walked on a 3-2 count from Adair, the bases were loaded for Taylor Olsen. Olsen took control of the situation and was able to hit a grand slam for her time quickly putting the Cougars up 3-5.
The scoring was not done in the third inning for the blue and white as they scored nine runs total in the inning.
Abie Brown, who pinch ran for Lujan in the inning, was able to score on a fielder’s choice play. Kenzie Middleton then singled, scoring two in base runners Samaria Roope and Logan Menzies. Edwards then doubled scoring Berg.
After a big third inning, Olsen hit another home run this time a solo home run extending the Cougars lead to seven. Reamer then got in on the home run hitting action as she closed out the game for CCU with a solo homerun in the sixth.
The Mavericks struggled to find the right location in game one only using Adair and Smith in the circle. The loss would be Adair’s second of the season. She pitched four total innings and gave up eight runs on five hits. She was able to strike out three.
Smith had one of her shorter outings as she one was in the game for one inning. She gave up three runs on two hits and struckout one.
CCU struck first in game two and even though the Mavericks got two runs on the board they were able to get the 2-6 victory to finish out their day.
Reamer doubled off of redshirt junior pitcher Shea Mauser to score Olsen in the first. Kayla Middleton then singled to center fielder Mendoza allowing Lujan to advance to third and allowing Reamer to score. With bases loaded, Kayla Middleton was able to score as Berg got hit by a pitch.
In the second inning Kenzie Middleton scored on a sacrifice fly from. Then in the third Kayla Middleton reached on a passed ball allowing Edwards to score from third. The Cougars scored once more in the fourth as Reamer hit another home run.
Christensen was able to hit two solo home runs, one in the third and one in the fifth putting the Mavericks on the board.
Both teams go into the final weekend of regular season play tied for the top spot in the RMAC. This weekend will determine who will be crowned the regular season champions and who will host the conference tournament.
The Maverick close their season at home hosting Chadron State. The games will be played April 29 and 30. First pitch will be at noon on April 29.
