The Mavericks were able to sweep the doubleheader from the Eagles on Friday afternoon in Chadron, Neb.
In game one the Colorado Mesa University (CMU) softball team was able to win in six innings as a rally in the final inning allowed the Mavericks to get the run rule win against Chadron State College (CSC).
Heading into the sixth inning, the Mavericks were just looking to keep their 6-2 lead. With a runner on, redshirt sophomore outfielder Lauren Wedman was able to hit a single into the gap to score redshirt senior outfielder Brooke Doumer.
Two batters later, redshirt freshman middle infielder Camryn Mullen, who got the start at second base in both games today, doubled allowing Wedman and redshirt sophomore designated player Ellie Smith to score, opening the gap for the Mavericks even more.
With three runners on base, freshman catcher Ally Distler walked to score redshirt sophomore third baseman Nicole Christensen. After walking in a run, CSC threw a ball right where redshirt sophomore shortstop Ashley Bradford wanted it and singled to left field. The single by Bradford allowed Mullen to score.
The Mavericks would then send freshman infielder Ava Fugate up to the plate to pinch hit for redshirt freshman outfielder Drew Sims. Fugate singled up the middle and added two runs to the scoreboard for the Mavericks as Distler and redshirt senior first baseman Sarah Staudle scored.
Redshirt freshman Sarah Jorissen did her job as another pinch hitter for the Mavericks up at the plate. She singled advancing the runners and allowing Bradford to score.
Back up to the plate, Wedman singled to center field allowing the Mavericks their ninth run of the sixth inning. Fugate scored on the play.
Bradford went 3-4 with two runs batted in in game one of the doubleheader.
“It makes a big difference if you go six, seven, eight and no one is getting on, no one is getting RBIs. She’s hitting the ball hard and there are a few that she is hitting off of people’s gloves and making the infielders move. She is not striking out which is great. If we can get her on we have speed after her and at the beginning of the lineup. If she can get on, the chances of her scoring increase a ton,” Interim Head Coach Mercedes Lovato said.
Christensen was able to help the team at the plate with a solo home run in the fifth inning. She now has nine home runs on the season.
In the circle, redshirt junior pitcher Paige Adair limited the damage done by the Eagles as she excelled in the circle. Adair was able to pitch another complete game for the Mavericks as she struck out ten batters and only walked one.
Adair now improves to 15-1 on the season. She also has an earned run average of 2.19.
In game two, the Mavericks started out on the right foot with putting up three runs in the first inning. But fell behind after a big fourth inning from the Eagles.
The sixth and seventh innings were the Mavericks time to rally back.
Doumer got things started as she singled through to center field allowing Sims to score from second. Reaching on an error, Sims found a stolen bag to get her in the scoring position for Doumer. Smith then singled to the same spot in center field and Wedman was able to score.
In the top of the seventh, it was all or nothing for the Mavericks. With Staudle on first up came Distler. On a 3-2 count Distler was able to drive a line drive over the fence and tie up the game at 10 for her team.
Smith was able to single and score Doumer in the eighth allowing the Mavericks to get the come from behind win.
Distler had a solid afternoon as she hit three home runs for the Mavericks and six runs batted in throughout the two games.
“She did well today. I think us moving her in the lineup somehow did motivate her or she saw better pitches. She was hitting some line drives over the fence. I think the shorter fences were in her favor today. But she was in the zone,” Lovato said.
Christensen also had a multi home run afternoon as she hit her second homer in the first inning of the second game.
The Mavericks had to use all three of their pitchers in game two as Smith could not get out of the third inning. Smith ended up giving up seven runs, five of them being earned.
Redshirt sophomore pitcher Shea Mauser then came into relief but could not get out of the inning as well as she hit one batter and walked two as she only faced four batters.
Adair came in again as she was able to go five and one third innings in game two. She struck out six more Eagle batters. She allowed seven hits while walking two and giving up two runs. Adair found her second win of the afternoon and improved to 16-1 on the season.
The Mavericks and Eagles face off again tomorrow as they compete in the final two games of the series starting at 11 a.m. in Chadron, Neb.
