The Colorado Mesa University (CMU) softball team has officially come out of hibernation, ready to devour anything in sight and they most definitely did.
The Mavericks opened up their season in a two-game opening day against Western New Mexico University (WNMU) and Angelo State University (ASU). Both games took place in Rio Rancho, N.M.
The road had no effect on CMU as they won both of their games. The first game against WNWU was an utter obliteration as the Mavericks won 25-1. CMU would end their day feasting on ASU in a lesser 3-1 win.
The Mavs started off against Western New Mexico strongly, with six runs in the first inning. Catcher Zoe Pakes and Outfielder Hailey Hinson both scored two RBI’s within the top of the first.
In the second inning, the Mavs matched their previous runs, and then some. Scoring 15 runs, they brought the score up to a whopping 21-0 with a two-RBI by Kaila Jacobi and Abby Toller followed by batting a home run.
“It’s nice when you get a lead, it gives a cushion to relax and really focus on playing the game. We executed very well today.” Head coach Ben Garcia said.
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The fifth inning saw the Mavs scoring another four runs. Yet another home run, this time by Zoe Pakes. Pakes went 4-5 with six RBI’s and one HR. The game ended 25-1 with the Mavs winning in a landslide.
The second game against Angelo State, the number two team in the league, was less of a slaughter, but it did end up being a one hitter for McKenzie Surface. Angelo State played a much cleaner game, with only two errors, and was able to put up a much better fight than Western New Mexico did.
The scoring was lower for the Mavs, who only scored three runs. In the second inning, the first run was scored by Zoe Pakes with her second home run for the day. This was followed in the fourth inning with Kaila Jacobi and Abby Toller both getting their own pair of RBI’s.
The sole score by Angelo State was a home run in the fifth. This, while being the only score, was also the only hit in the entire game. Pitcher McKenzie Surface got 10 strikeouts during the game and combined with zero errors the defense for the second game truly shined.
“They [Angelo State University] were every bit as good as we thought and has been advertised,” Coach Garcia said. “So I was really pleased with the girls’ attention and how they prepared for the game.”
CMU would seal the less thrilling, but as equally important, 3-1 win.
These back to back wins brings the Mavericks to 2-0 and a great start to the season. They hope to continue the streak on Saturday, Feb. 3 against MSU Denver and Texas A&M-Commerce in another doubleheader starting at 10 a.m.