GOLDEN, Colo. - Claire Stringfellow and Hallie Smith threw shutouts as Colorado School of Mines blanked Chadron State by a pair of 4-0 scores on Sunday.

The Orediggers (25-13 / 22-10 RMAC) secured a berth in the RMAC Tournament with the wins, and currently sit third ahead of the Eagles (21-21 / 18-13 RMAC). Mines took the series from Chadron 3-1 after a split on Friday.

Clara Larson drove in six of Mines' eight runs across the two games, homering in each. Mines wore pink uniforms and Chadron State pink socks as the two combined for StrikeOut Cancer Day, an NFCA initiative to raise money for cancer research.

GAME ONE - Mines 4, Chadron State 0 
Claire Stringfellow threw her first career shutout, cruising in a four-hit win to start the day.

Clara Larson doubled in Mines' first run and bombed a two-run homer in the third, with Sonoma Toot singling in another run for the Orediggers. Mines was held to only five hits by CSC starter Jessica Jarecki, but made the most of their chances.

Larson got things going in the first with a double to the gap in left to plate Katie Leiker, and Toot's infield single brought Larson in later in the inning. In the third, Larson jacked a no-doubter to left to bring in Paige Noehring, and that would be all the scoring Mines would need. 

Stringfellow (8-3) struck out four and issues only one walk in the complete-game effort, facing four over the minimum. Her defense backed her up, getting out of the only real jam of the game in the third with a 2-4-6-5 pickoff of Kayla Moody at third.

Jarecki (11-7) had five strikeouts allowing two earned for Chadron State.

GAME TWO - Mines 4, Chadron State 0
Hallie Smith threw her sixth shutout of the season as Mines continued its pitching dominance in a 4-0 afternoon win.

Clara Larson again provided three RBI, all on a first-inning home run, and Katie Leiker added a run as the Orediggers generated eight hits.

With Kara Walling and Leiker on base in the first, Larson tucked her ninth home run of the year inside the left field foul pole to make it 3-0.

Smith (13-6) was outstanding, scattering five hits and working out of only one pickle, forcing CSC to strand runners in scoring position in the second inning. She relied on some terrific defense, as well, with Mines going error free and turning two double plays, including a webgem diving catch by Paige Noehring that she converted into a double play at second, and a 5-4-3 double play in the seventh to halt any hopes of an Eagle comeback.

Kinsley Mason (7-10) allowed four in the start for the Eagles. Neither team had a strikeout in the game.

NEXT UP
Mines stays at home to host MSU-Denver next Saturday at noon.