GOLDEN, Colo. – Back at home for the second weekend in a row, the Colorado School of Mines softball team lineup up opposite #17 Colorado Christian Saturday at Joe Coors, Jr. Softball Field for the first of two doubleheaders this weekend, and despite playing two well-executed games, came up short on both counts falling by scores of 4-1 and 5-2.
 
The Orediggers (8-12, 7-7) were held in check at the plate in game one but bounced back to lead for most of game two until the Cougars (24-2, 14-0) rallied over the final two innings to sweep the first day of the series.
 
 
The day got off to a rather rocky start in game one as just four batters into the game, Mines found themselves trailing 3-0 following a three-run home run off the scoreboard in right center by Logan Menzies as CCU took the early lead.
 
The Orediggers' bats were kept in check by starter Kali Crandall for the first four innings, as she started the day retiring the first 10 she faced before a walk to Aubree Karraker put traffic on the bases for the first time foe Sidney Wilson, who wasted little time scoring Karraker with a double to deep left field to make it 3-1.
 
The Cougars answered with a run in the fifth on an RBI triple by Leah Garcia to make it a three-run game again at 4-1. That score ended up being the final as Mines left three on base in the fifth and sixth innings before going down in order in the seventh to end the game as CCU took the opener.
 
Game two saw the Orediggers get on the board first in the second inning, as she beat out an infield single to third before the throw sailed wide of first base and allowed Sara Larson to score from second with two outs to make it a 1-0 game.
 
Starting pitcher Taylor Wayne (1-4) made that run hold up for most of the day, as she worked five scoreless innings to start off the afternoon in one of her best appearances of the season before CCU was able to get to her for a run in the sixth, as a two-out single to right field plated the tying run after the runner advanced to second on an errant throw back in from the outfield on a flyout for the second out of the inning.
 
Mines had a chance to answer in a big way in the bottom of the inning, loading the bases with one our and forcing the Cougars to go back to the bullpen, but were unable to find that timely hit as a foul out and a flyout to left center on a great defensive play allowed the visitors to tightrope out of danger.
 
Seizing the momentum after escaping trouble, CCU took the lead for the first time in the game with a leadoff solo home run to left center by Kenzie Middleton to make it 2-1 before an RBI groundout and a two run triple later in the inning made it a 5-1 game as the Orediggers utilized three pitchers to navigate the top of the seventh.
 
Looking to rally down four, Grace Gonzales worked a pinch hit one-out walk and was replaced on the bases by Paige Dompier, who came around to score with two outs on an RBI double to the wall in left by Aubree Karraker to make it 5-2 as a late rally wasn't in the cards and saw Colorado Christian take game two 5-2.
 
NOTABLES
-Sadriena Rodriguez (3-1) was charged with the loss in the opener, allowing four runs, three coming in the first inning on the home run, and scattering 10 hits with two strikeouts and inducing plenty of weak contact from one of the better power-hitting teams in the RMAC; she is now four strikeouts shy of 150 for her career
-Wilson accounted for both Mines hits in game one and finished 2-3 with an RBI
-Renata Boyd became the new all-time stolen base leader with a steal of third in the fifth inning, as she caught the defense napping for her 51st swipe and passing Brielle Asato (2015-18) atop the all-time list
-Karraker and Sara Larson each finished with two hits in the nightcap to pace the offense
-Six different players logged a hit in game two
-Despite the loss, Wayne rebounded from a tough weekend against Regis to post one of her better outings of the season, allowing three runs, two earned, on seven hits while striking out four
-Game two saw CCU trail in a game for just the fourth time all season and playing from behind the longest they have over their first 26 games of the season

LOOKING AHEAD
Mines wraps up their eight-game home stand next weekend with a two more games Sunday against the Cougars beginning at 11 a.m. at Joe Coors, Jr. Softball Field
 
Fans can keep up with Mines softball on Twitter at @MinesSoftball and Instagram at @mines_sb. They can also keep up with Colorado School of Mines Athletics all year long on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the handle @MinesAthletics.