GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - Two big innings helped #11 Colorado Mesa slip past Colorado School of Mines in a 9-1 run-rule victory to begin the second day of the RMAC Tournament.

The Orediggers will now play UCCS in an elimination game later on Friday, scheduled for a 3:15 p.m. start. Colorado Christian and MSU Denver will play in the other elimination game; should Mines advance, it would play that game's winner at 7:45 p.m. Friday night.

The Mavericks (44-7) took an immediate advantage with a five-run first, then plated four in the fourth. CMU batted around in the first, starting things off with a Bailey Kleespies two-run double before Lauren Wedman drew a bases-loaded walk, Jordyn Hays hit a sacrifice fly, and Brooke Doumer also had a bases-loaded walk to lead 5-0.

Sydney Marchando settled in to retire six straight in the second and third innings, however, and Katie Leiker got the Orediggers on the board with a lead-off home run to left in the fourth, cutting it to 5-1. The Mavs responded with a big fourth of their own, however, as Kellie Mrofcza launched a three-run homer inside the leftfield foul pole, and Hailey Hinson's pinch-hit double made it 9-1.

Kimbri Herring (21-3) struck out seven in the win. Marchando (15-5) was charged with six earned in the loss as she exited in the fourth. Kylie Redding allowed a run with a strikeout in an inning of relief. 

NOTABLES
- Leiker's home run was the 16th of her career and career-high fifth of the season. It was her first career postseason homer, and also her 190th career hit.
- Kara Jones, Megan Dickson, and Stefanie Brunello also had hits for Mines. 
- Colorado Mesa leads the season series 3-2 over Mines. They advance to play Dixie State in a winners' bracket game later on Friday.