Mines vs. Adams State, Friday 12/2 p.m. [RMAC Network] [Live Stats]
Mines vs. Adams State, Saturday 11 a.m./1 p.m. [RMAC Network] [Live Stats]

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OREDIGGERS RETURN HOME TO HOST ADAMS STATE
For the first time in a month, Colorado School of Mines returns home to Joe Coors, Jr. Softball Field as they open up an eight-game homestand with a Friday-Saturday series against Adams State on Easter weekend. Winner of 10 of their last 12 games, the red-hot Orediggers enter the weekend 14-10 overall and 13-7 in RMAC play as they look to solidify their spot near the top of the RMAC standings. All games will stream live on the RMAC Network; no spectators will be admitted.

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.

THE RMAC STANDINGS
At 13-7 in the RMAC, Mines is solidly in fourth place in the conference with Colorado Mesa (15-1), Colorado Christian (14-1), and MSU Denver (8-4) ahead of them. The top six teams make the RMAC Tournament.

OREDIGGERS SWEEP FORT LEWIS
Mines kept its hot form going with a road sweep of Fort Lewis on Sunday and Monday. Mines pounded FLC 13-1 in the opener before edging the Skyhawks 4-3 in game two; on Monday, Mines won 5-1 and then came back to win the finale 8-6. The heart of the lineup continued to produce big numbers as Renata Boyd hit .625 and scored five runs, Clara Larson slugged .833 with six RBI and a home run, and Kylie Redding and Kayleigh Krueger both hit .417 for the series. Mines pitching was outstanding with a staff ERA of 2.42 as Sydney Marchando (twice), Sadriena Rodriguez, and Lauren Decker picked up victories.

SYD SHINES IN THE CIRCLE
Senior Sydney Marchando is coming off arguably the best weekend of her already outstanding career as she pitched 12 innings versus Fort Lewis and came away with two wins, a save, and a 0.58 ERA. Marchando allowed just two hits in game three of the series, and opponents hit .143 off her in three appearances. Heading into this weekend, Marchando (5-4) has a 4.30 ERA and ranks fourth in the RMAC in strikeouts (40), second in innings pitched (58.2), fourth in wins (5), and tops in backwards K's (14).

LARSON ENTERS RMAC HOME RUN TOP-10
With six home runs this season, Clara Larson is tied for second in the RMAC, and she's also moving up the conference ranks in career roundtrips. With 45, Larson (who is the Mines recordholder) is now eighth in conference history. Next up on the list? Her own coach, Tara (Mickelson) Wheeler, who hit 47 during her time playing at MSU Denver. Larson is also fifth in RMAC history in RBI at 208, and now ranks fourth all-time at Mines in hits (246). Larson is also second in runs (170) and doubles (59), and tied for third in triples (13).

SCOUTING ADAMS STATE
Adams State enters the weekend at 6-16 overall and 6-14 in RMAC play, looking to get back on track after losing seven of their last eight games. The Grizzlies are led at the plate by Tyler Hays (.375/.479/.804) who has 15 RBI and five home runs, and Jade Garbiso who is hitting a team-best .379 with 14 RBI. Pitching has been tough for ASU with a staff ERA of 8.35; Garbiso leads the way with a 6.59 ERA and 2-4 record.

THE ALL-TIME SERIES
Mines and Adams State have played 121 times previously with ASU holding a 71-50 series lead. Mines has won the last five, however, and eight of the last ten dating back to 2017.

RMAC TOURNAMENT MOVED
In late February, 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. Another change this year is a reduction to six teams in the tournament due to Dixie State's departure from the conference.

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.

LOOKING AHEAD
Mines stays at home next weekend to host Colorado Christian. No spectators will be admitted for the home series.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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.