There was a greater goal than winning at Bergman Field this weekend. The CMU softball team (23-17, 21-15 RMAC) raised $3,100 for breast cancer in their Swing for Life Cancer Benefit weekend. With all the players in pink, the jerseys were auctioned for the cause. Shirts were also given to Kearney for the benefit. The weekend was eventful for the Mavs with their annual Alumni Weekend and 2012 Senior Day as well.

The Mavs started Saturday with a 7-6 loss to Kearney. CMU scored in the bottom of the second with three runs off of four hits. CMU strung together hits, until senior Shannon McClenahan homered to left field, scoring Lisa Pille and Megan Smith. The Lopers responded in the fourth, scoring four runs on five hits. The Mavs scored late in the fifth with two runs on one hit, but couldn’t catch Kearney. The Mavs had six runs off of seven hits.

The second game played out differently with a 3-2 win over Kearney. The Lopes scored early with two runs off two hits in the first inning. The Mavs went scoreless until the fourth when Meghan Smith hit a homerun to left field. In the bottom of the sixth, the Mavs had two runs on two hits. Ashley Pulido (7-7) pitched for the Mavs, allowing two runs and four hits.

“I think we came out yesterday thinking a little bit less about Kearney,” third baseman Lauren Cross said. “Even though it didn’t turn out the way we wanted it to we still fought a little bit harder.”

The Mavs started Sunday with a Cross homer in the bottom of the second. In the bottom of the third with the bases loaded, the Mavs were unable to score. In the top of the fifth, the Lopers managed to load up first and second, scoring them in with a homerun. Kearney scored off a hit to right center, setting the final score at 8-2.

Game four started off with second and third loaded for CMU in the second, but they were unable to score the runs. The Mavs scored a run in the bottom of the fifth. The Lopers answered CMU’s comeback with a homerun from Kearney, which scored three runs. In the top of the seventh, a thirty-minute rain delay postponed the game.

“I think after the rainstorm we got pumped up and ready to play,” Cross said.

The Mavs let the storm fuel their motivation in the top of the seventh with a strikeout and a double play from second base. CMU loaded up first and second, but ended with a ball hit back to the pitcher, ending the game 4-2 in favor of the Lopers.

“We didn’t pitch well and we didn’t hit well at all this weekend,” coach Kris Mort said. “it’s tough to win when you are chasing balls as a hitter and looking at strikes.”