Colorado Mesa University softball team used aggressive base running to doom the Adams State Grizzlies’ chances of upsetting the Mavs’ home opener. Instead CMU won their first home doubleheader on Saturday, 8-0 and 10-2.  

“We were so aggressive running on them that they didn’t know it was coming,” centerfielder Brooke Hodgson said. “We have our speedsters leading off and we expect them to get on and run out those base hits and steal from there.”

“We have some kids that you don’t have to coach them to run bases,” head coach Ben Garcia said. “They coach themselves. They understand that being aggressive sometimes helps.”

The mercy rule was put into effect in the fifth inning during both innings as CMU had an eight run lead after five.

“I think our energy was really up and it is good to play at home,” Garcia said. “Some of our hitters that usually come through for us struggled today, but the good part is that everyone else picked it up.”

In the first game, CMU was on the board early in the first inning thanks to a sacrifice fly by AnnMarie Torres. Torres also had a two run home run in the fourth inning to increase the lead to four.

The Mavs put away the Grizzlies in the fifth with RBI singles by Tyneesha Houkamau, Kaila Jacobi and Baylee Boren. CMU won the first game, 8-0.

Pitcher Mackenzie Surface received her sixth win of the season. She allowed zero runs, three hits and struck out seven batters.

“[Surface] in the first game really had command,” Garcia said. “She was never in trouble.”

The Mavs were almost never in trouble in the second game. After scoring three runs in the first inning, the Grizzlies made the lead tight in the second inning.

The Grizzlies’ Kalin Johnson hit a two run single to cut the Mavs’ lead, 3-2. However, CMU made a more comfortable lead in the bottom of the second inning.

The Mavs scored six runs in the inning, including Jacobi’s bases loaded clearing RBI double. At the end of the second inning, the Mavs were ahead, 9-2.

Jacobi had another RBI in the fourth inning to increase the lead to 10-2. The Mavs then put away the Grizzlies in the bottom of the fifth.

Pitcher Kimbri Herring earned her third win of the season in the second game. She went 4 1/3 inning allowing two runs and two hits.

“In the second game, [Herring] was in control, she made one mistake and she paid for that,” Garcia said.

In the first doubleheader, the Mavs outscored the Grizzlies 18-2. CMU also out hit Adams State, 22-5.

“We fought every pitch,” Hodgson said. “Even if we were down 0-2, we would still make contact and found a hole here or there.”

The next day, the Mavs faced off against the Grizzlies for another doubleheader. The first game was tighter than yesterday’s games.

CMU raced off to a 6-0 lead after four innings. The runs came in part due to a solo home run by Hodgson and a two run home run from Sarah Phillis.

The Grizzlies then scored two runs in the top of the fifth inning to cut the lead to four. But Hodgson hit her second of the home run of the game in the bottom of the fifth to give the Mavs some breathing room.

Adams State cut the lead again in the sixth inning thanks in part to a solo home run and a RBI triple. However, starting pitcher Surface got out of the jam.

Then in the seventh inning relief pitcher Andy Hancock pitched a perfect inning to help Surface earn her seventh win of the season.

The next game was not as competitive as CMU raced off to a 7-0 lead in the first inning. Included in the seven runs was Zoe Pakes three run home run.

The Mavs tacked on two more runs in the second inning thanks to RBI singles by Phillis and Bailey Kleespies. The team did not score anymore, but neither did Adams State. CMU won the game, 9-0.

Hancock received the win after she went four innings, allowed one hit and stuck out two. Hodgson went a combined 5-for-5 with five RBIs and two home runs.

With the wins over the weekend, the team is now 12-4 on the season. CMU also won its first four home games of the season.

“It feels amazing,” Hodgson said. “We feel very comfortable at home and we have our field and our fans.”

CMU will play a doubleheader against New Mexico Highlands on Saturday, March 11, at 12 p.m. and then at 2 p.m. The team will play another two games the next day at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.