Perfection is still associated with the name Colorado Mesa University, who finally got to showcase their softball team on home turf. The Mavericks played a doubleheader against Chadron State College (CSC) on Saturday and combined for a total of 17-1 for both games as well as throwing the first no-hitter since 2010.
Ace pitcher, McKenzie Surface came into the first game against Chadron State with a 3.26 era and 37 hits allowed in which is the slowest start she has produced in her career. But the junior finally had her breakthrough performance and delivered six hitless innings and gave the Mavericks the first no-no since 2010.
“It was exciting, Zoe [Pakes] told me at the end because I didn’t know if it was time to celebrate yet,” Surface said. “This was the first one I’ve thrown in college.”
It didn’t take long for the Mavericks to score against CSC. In the bottom of the first inning, Brooke Hodgson hit a double, sending Maggie Manwarren in for a run. Then at the bottom of the second, CMU scored another two runs. The first was made by Kellie Mrofcza on a throwing error. The second was a stolen home by Kaila Jacobi with a little-partnered trickery with Abby Toller stealing second.
The rest of the game was quiet for the Mavs and there was no scoring until the fifth, where they managed to double their score from three to six. Brooke Hodgson started the scoring with a double up the middle, sending Maggie Manwarren around the bases for an RBI. The RBI was followed by a two-RBI double when Kellie Mrofcza hit a streamer down the middle.
CMU would eventually seal the 6-0 shutout win to fit very nicely with the no-hitter.
The Mavericks would not slow down come the second game either.
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Once again, the Mavs saw scores in the first inning. Brooke Hodgson singled, accomplishing an RBI and this was followed by Lexie Comer with yet another RBI off of another single. The second inning saw the Mavs further their lead when Maggie Manwarren scored on a muffed throw, then Alexandria Dufour stole home to bring the score up 4-0.
There were no more scores until the fourth inning when CSC managed to hit a home run. However, CMU answered that with a seven-run sixth inning to add insult to injury for Chadron State.
In the sixth inning scorefest, Alexandria Dufour started it off with a two-RBI double. Then Dufour scored on a fielding error three at-bats later. Then with some more base trickery, Brooke Hodgson stole home with Kellie Mrofcza distracting the defense by stealing second. The final cherry on top was a home run hit by Kaila Jacobi which sent Comer and Mrofcza around the bases to give the Mavericks the evident 11-1 win.
Kimbri Herring pitched the second game and as hard it is to follow a no-hitter, Herring did perfectly fine. The junior allowed only three hits and struck out nine batters in the process.
“I’m really pleased with our defense and our pitchers did very well,” head coach Garcia said.
All around it was a close to perfect day, however, Ben Garcia emphasizes there are always things to work on.
“We didn’t execute the way that we are capable,” Garcia said. “We hit a lot of pop-ups and weren’t patient. We are a much better hitting team.”
CMU remains perfect as they improve to 12-0 on the season and remain one of the top five teams in the country. The Mavericks will play another doubleheader against Chadron State on Monday to make up for the games canceled on Friday.
