LUBBOCK, Texas - Colorado School of Mines' comeback fell just short as it ended its season-opening Texas swing with a 2-1 loss to Midwestern State played at Lubbock Christian University.
The Mustangs avenged Mines' 11-0 run-rule victory against them on Friday, holding the Orediggers (2-3) to three hits. Mines, however, stayed in it as it forced MSU to strand 11 baserunners to give them a chance at a comeback.
All of the Mustangs' damage was done in a two-run second inning as they put two on for Caycee Griffin to double home both runners. In the meantime, Mines was held hitless until the fourth inning when
Clara Larson's leadoff single led to Mines eventually loading the bases. Larson had a chance to score on
Megan Dickson's ball in play but was thrown out at the plate;
Pua Fujinaga then drew a bases-loaded walk to cut the deficit to 2-1.
Mines had to work out of trouble with MSU putting runners on second and third in both the sixth and seventh, and that set up a chance for the Orediggers to come back in their last at-bat. Mines put the tying run on when
Stefanie Brunello reached on an error by the pitcher, but two straight outs at second base by the Mustang defense ended the game.
Claire Stringfellow (0-2) was unlucky to take the loss, allowing two runs on four hits and striking out two in three innings of work.
Kylie Redding was sterling in relief, scattering three hits across four innings and not allowing a run. MSU's Gracie Bogle (1-0) took a no-hitter into the fourth, allowing one run, while Abbie Lancaster worked a scoreless three-inning save facing one over her minimum.
NOTABLES
- Although
Sonoma Toot saw a 15-game hit streak come to an end yesterday, the senior kept alive an 18-game reached-base streak that dates back to last season as she notched a hit.
- Toot, Larson, and
Boston Ludlow had Mines' hits.
- Fujinaga ends the opening weekend with six RBI in five games, and collected her 100th career hit on Friday as she batted a team-best .429 for the trip.
- Larson ended the weekend with hits in five straight games and a team-high nine RBI. She has a hit in seven straight games dating back to the 2017 season.
- MSU stranded 11 runners to Mines' seven.
NEXT UP
Mines will head to Utah next weekend for five games at Dixie State's Easton Classic starting Friday.
