The Mavericks started conference play by getting the sweep in a four game series against Metro State University- Denver (MSUD).
The Mavericks held the Roadrunners to three runs in the four game series. They also got their 16 straight win against MSUD.
Redshirt junior pitcher Shea Mauser headed to the circle for Colorado Mesa University (CMU) to start off the weekend and with the help of her offense and the defense behind her was able to get her team a 5-1 victory.
Sophomore infielder Sarah Jorissen hit her first collegiate home run to get the Mavericks on the board in the third. Her home run also tied the game for the Mavericks as Shelby Robb hit a home run in the top half of the third to center field.
The Mavericks helped the roadrunners to only one run as the bats came alive in the fourth for CMU.
Redshirt junior designated player Ellie Smith hit her third home run of the season as she launched one to right center field. A couple batters after her, sophomore outfielder Mallory Warner hit her first home run as a Maverick to left field to give CMU a 3-1 lead.
Getting her first hit at the CMU Softball field was redshirt sophomore outfielder Iliana Mendoza. She was able to get an RBI single to right field allowing Jorissen to score. Bryerly Avina scored on the fielder’s choice to secure CMU’s victory.
The second game Smith was in the circle for the Mavericks. She found her third victory of the season as she was able to record six strikeouts in that game.
Smith homered to left field in the fourth before the Mavericks big five run fifth inning.
Sophomore catcher Ally Distler had a sacrifice fly to left field that scored junior infielder Ashley Bradford to start off the fifth. This allowed redshirt junior outfield Lauren Wedman to get into scoring position for freshman Maya Arrieta who collected her first hit in the Grand Valley as a collegiate athlete.
An error from Mackenzie Jamieson allowed Arrieta to score. Smith then grounded out to third but Mendoza scored on the play.
In the third game, Mauser got the ball again and only needed 75 pitches to get another victory and a complete game. Mauser only gave up four hits with four strikeouts in game two.
On the offensive end for the Mavericks Smith got the Mavericks on the board once again as she doubled allowing Wedman to score.
Audrey Burt responded to the RBI double by Smith in the top half of the second inning with a solo home run. The solo shot would be the only run the Roadrunners put on the board all day.
Jorissen hit her second home run of the weekend in the bottom of the second. It was a two run home run that allowed CMU to regain the lead 3-1.
The Mavericks did not score again until the fifth inning when Distler hit a three run home run to right field allowing Warner and Arrieta to score. On a designed hit and run play in the bottom of the sixth inning, junior infielder Nicole Christensen was caught stealing but allowed Bradford to score.
CMU’s momentum from the first three games continued into the final game of the series.
Smith dominated no only in the batters box but in the circle as well as she was called upon to get the series win against MSUD. She was able to and to her record and get her fourth victory of the season as she threw a complete game and only allowed three hits. She had four strikeouts as well.
In the third inning, Wedman was able to reach on a fielding error by the Roadrunners infielder and the error allowed Mendoza to advance to third but then score on the error.
Arrieta had a big game for the Mavericks as she ended the game 1-3 but collected three RBIs. A big single in the fifth from Arrieta allowed Avina and Wedman to score.
The Mavericks head back on the road next weekend as they will take on Colorado School of Mines Orediggers in another four game set starting on Mar. 5 at 12 p.m.
