GAME 1 - Colorado Christian 2, Mines 0
Colorado Christian used two early runs to hang on for a 2-0 win in the series opener.
Sydney Marchando (1-2) had a fine start, allowing only three hits and retiring the final 10 batters she faced, but the Oredigger bats couldn't convert several chances into runs despite out-hitting CCU 5-3.
CCU's Stephanie Day hit a solo home run in the first, and Shelby Fusich's RBI double in the second made it 2-0.
That would be CCU's last hit of the game, however, as Marchando retired 17 of her next 19 batters faced, save a pair of walks. Mines couldn't capitalize at the plate, however, despite
Pua Fujinaga's 3-for-3 performance and hits from
Brielle Asato and
Kylie Redding.
Kenzie Mattey (22-7) had seven strikeouts in the win. Marchando whiffed two in an efficient 78-pitch performance.
GAME 2 - Mines 8, Colorado Christian 0 (5 inn.)
Kara Jones drove in runs on three different at-bats and
Claire Stringfellow had a sterling start as Mines responded in a big way with an 8-0 run-rule win to end Saturday.
Stringfellow (13-6) struck out eight in the shutout, scattering four hits in an outstanding start. At the plate, Jones generated four RBI in a 3-for-4 day, including the walk-off single in the fifth, while
Clara Larson went 2-for-2 and
Katie Leiker 2-for-3.
Mines scored in every inning, including three in the first. With two on, Jones smacked a two-run double, and she scored on a throwing error later in the inning. In the second, another effort allowed pinch-runner
Kelsey Buechler to come across, and
Sonoma Toot's bases-loaded walk in the third made it 5-0.
Jones again started a rally in the fourth with a single to score Larson before an odd play resulted in another Mines run. With Stephanie Brunello pinch-running on first for Jones, Leiker appeared to homer to left, but she passed Brunello on the base path and was called out; Brunello's run scored, however, to lead 7-0. The game finished in the fifth with Toot's lead-off hit turning into Jones' walk-off single.
Jennifer Romero (15-3) was dealt just her third loss of the year allowing six earned in 4.0 innings of work; Tana Feiner pitched part of the third and allowed a run.
Stringfellow did not allow a run or a walk in her 67-pitch shutout.
NEXT UP
Mines and CCU wrap up the regular season Sunday starting at 11 a.m. Saturday's results gave Colorado Mesa the regular-season RMAC title, meaning the Orediggers will head to Grand Junction for the RMAC Tournament starting Thursday.
