West Texas A&M Invitational (Canyon, Texas)
Mines vs. #25 Lubbock Christian, Saturday, 12 p.m. CT [PPV Live Video] [Live Stats]
Mines at West Texas A&M, Saturday, 6 p.m. CT [PPV Live Video] [Live Stats]
Mines vs. UCCS, Sunday, 2 p.m. CT [PPV Live Video] [Live Stats]
Mines at West Texas A&M, Sunday, 4 p.m. CT [PPV Live Video] [Live Stats]
 

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THE NEW SEASON IS HERE
For the first time in 349 days, Colorado School of Mines will be playing softball as they open the 2021 season at the West Texas A&M invitational on Saturday and Sunday. Mines will play four games, with two against the hosts as well as single games against #25 Lubbock Christian and RMAC rival UCCS.

HOW TO WATCH
The games will be streamed live on the LSC Network via pay-per-view, with a $10 fee per day. Live stats for each game are also available at the links above. After this weekend, all other games this season will be seen for free on the RMAC Network.

GROUND RULES
The biggest change to this season for NCAA Division II softball is a truncated schedule as teams can only play a maximum of 44 regular-season contests this season. The RMAC schedule and postseason will operate normally, with the RMAC Tournament determining the conference's qualifier to the NCAA Championships. Until further notice, no spectators will be admitted to Mines home games due to university policy; road contests may have different policies and those will be posted on the Mines Softball schedule at minesathletics.com and on social media as they're determined.

WHERE WE LEFT OFF
The Orediggers were 9-12 overall and 6-6 in RMAC play when the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the 2020 season, but it felt like the young squad was starting to hit its stride after a series split with RMAC power Colorado Mesa in their final action. Now under second-year head coach Tara Wheeler, the Orediggers hope to recapture some of that momentum with a short non-conference tune-up before RMAC play begins next week.

IN THE PRESEASON POLL
Mines was chosen fourth in the RMAC preseason coaches' poll last week in a crowded pack that included top choice MSU Denver, second-place Colorado Christian, and third-place Colorado Mesa. Sunday's opponent, UCCS, was fifth behind the Orediggers. Mines also had three student-athletes named Preseason Players to Watch: Clara Larson, Stefanie Brunello, and Sydney Marchando.

WHO'S BACK
Two "super seniors" who had their 2020 season of eligibility restored lead the way for Mines as shortstop Clara Larson and third baseman Stefanie Brunello return for fifth years. That duo led the team at the plate last season as Larson hit .392 and Brunello .367, and they combined for 34 RBI and six home runs. Veterans Sam Wade and Megan Dickson also return, while from last year's newcomers, Renata Boyd (.301), Lauren Decker (.263), and Kailey Robb (.263) saw the most playing time in the field. Mines also has experienced depth with Ellaena Rodriguez, Emilee Sloan, Claire Smith, and Grace Gonzales coming back.

The pitching staff has plenty of veteran experience led by seniors Sydney Marchando and Kylie Redding along with sophomores Lauren Decker and Sadriena Rodriguez. Marchando was the staff ace in 2020 going 5-4 with a 3.88 ERA in 52.1 innings pitched.

WHO'S NEW
Catcher Aubree Karraker, who hit .318 and slugged .500 last season at juco power Tyler JC, joins the squad as a redshirt sophomore. Wheeler adds five true freshmen to the incoming class with infielders Sara Larson, Trystin Oshiro-Sano, and Sidney Wilson, outfielder Paige Dompier, and pitcher Kayleigh Krueger mixing in.

MAKING HISTORY
Returning for a fifth year, Clara Larson already has her name all over the Mines record book, and she'll look to further cement her place in history in 2021. Entering this season, Larson is already the career record holder in home runs (39) and is tied for the RBI mark (182); she ranks sixth all-time at Mines in hits (220), fourth in runs (147), second in doubles (53), and fourth in triples (12). If her career ended today, Larson would be fourth all-time in career batting average (.381) and the record holder in slugging (.718).

KEEPING IT 100
Senior catcher Megan Dickson is trying to become the latest Oredigger to reach the 100-hits club, entering 2021 with 98 in her career. Dickson is a career .307 hitter and .514 slugger in 111 games played.

MAKING THE GRADE
Mines picked up a bevy of academic honors after the 2020 season, recognizing their classroom work in a challenging spring semester. Clara Larson was named a First-Team Academic All-American, while Sydney Marchando was an Academic All-District pick. Those two were also named to the RMAC All-Academic First Team, and Kylie Redding was named to the RMAC Academic Honor Roll.

MINES VS. THE FIELD
The Oredigger face a tough opponent right out of the gate against #25 Lubbock Christian as they two meet for the third time ever; LCU won both previous meetings, their last one coming via a 9-7 score in Lubbock in 2018. Mines and West Texas A&M meet for the sixth time but first since 2015; WT is 5-0. Mines and RMAC foe UCCS, of course, know each other very well although this will be a non-conference match-up. The two have played 119 times previously with UCCS holding a 65-53-1 edge, but the Orediggers have won 12 of the last 14 games including winning three of four in Colorado Springs last year.

LOOKING AHEAD
Mines is slated to open its home and RMAC schedule on Feb. 27-28 with a four-game series against CSU-Pueblo. No spectators will be admitted.