Mines vs. CSU Pueblo, Sunday 12/2 p.m. [RMAC Network] [Live Stats]
Mines vs. CSU Pueblo, Monday 11 a.m./1 p.m. [RMAC Network] [Live Stats]
 

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OREDIGGERS OPEN HOME, RMAC SCHEDULES VS. CSU PUEBLO
It's a day late, but Colorado School of Mines opens up its home and RMAC schedule on Sunday against CSU Pueblo. The series was shifted back to allow for the removal of about 10" of mid-week snow in Golden; it will now be played Sunday at noon and Monday at 11 a.m.

NO SPECTATORS POLICY IN PLACE
Until further notice, no spectators are permitted at Mines home events. Away games may have differing policies, and those will be posted on the Mines Softball schedule page the week of the game. All remaining games this season will stream live and for free on the RMAC Network. Live stats are also available on minesathletics.com.

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.

NEW NAME FOR MINES' HOME
Over the summer, Colorado School of Mines officially named its renovated softball facility in honor of the late Joe Coors, Jr., a dedicated supporter of Mines Athletics and the university. The Joe Coors, Jr. Softball Field was made possible by an anonymous donation which helped redevelop the dugouts, backstop, press box, infield, bullpen, and scoreboard. Coors served on the Mines Board of Trustees from 1991 to 1999, as well as on the Metallurgical and Materials Engineering and Athletics visiting committees. Along with his wife Gail, Coors was a generous philanthropic leader and dedicated Mines supporter; the athletic department continues to hold the Joe Coors, Jr. Memorial Golf Outing every summer in his honor. Although Mines has played several series at their renovated home since 2019, this weekend will be the first time playing under its new name.

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.

LAST WEEKEND
Mines went 1-3 last weekend in Texas, beating UCCS 5-2 on Sunday but losing tough games to #25 Lubbock Christian and twice to undefeated West Texas A&M. Kylie Redding starred in the win over UCCS, throwing a complete-game victory and also hitting a three-run inside-the-park home run. Freshman Kayleigh Krueger led Mines at the plate going .500 (4-for-8) in the series with classmate Sidney Wilson hitting .375 including a home run.

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. Last weekend, she became Mines' all-time leader in runs batted in and now has 184. She is already the career record holder in home runs (39), and she now ranks sixth all-time at Mines in hits (222), fourth in runs (149), second in doubles (54), and fourth in triples (12). If her career ended today, Larson would be fourth all-time in career batting average (.379) and the record holder in slugging (.712).

KEEPING IT 100
Senior catcher Megan Dickson is trying to become the latest Oredigger to reach the 100-hits club, entering this weekend with 99 in her career. Dickson is a career .306 hitter and .512 slugger in 113 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.

SCOUTING CSU PUEBLO
Mines and CSU Pueblo have met 101 times since 1994, with the Thunderwolves leading the series 65-36. The Orediggers, however, have won eight of their last 10 games; the two split their last series in April of 2019. CSU Pueblo is 3-1 this season with two wins over Adams State and another against Bethany last weekend. Gabby Moreno was named the RMAC Player of the Week after hitting .600 (9-for-15) with eight RBI in that series. Sophia Lishner, Oakleigh Kearby, and Taylor Strupp all picked up wins for the Pack with Lishner throwing a one-run complete game against ASU.

RMAC TOURNAMENT MOVED
Last week, the RMAC voted to move back the RMAC Tournament by one week, to May 13-15. This change happened because the NCAA Tournament is also starting a week later than normal this season; with the regular season ending the weekend of May 1-2, the move will give teams scheduling flexibility to use the weekend of May 8-9 for make-up games, if necessary.

LOOKING AHEAD
Mines will visit Colorado Mesa on March 6-7 before returning home to play New Mexico Highlands March 13-14. CMU has announced that fans will be permitted on a reduced-capacity basis for that series with further details coming this week.