HAYS, Kan. – After getting off to a later start than originally scheduled due to heavy fog and precipitation Wednesday, the Colorado School of Mines softball team lined up opposite Fort Hays State again in their final non-conference action of the season and despite scoring the first run of the day, couldn't hang onto the lead falling 3-1 in what ended up being the lone action of the day, as game two was canceled due to poor conditions.
 
A first inning RBI single by Kayleigh Krueger gave the Orediggers (11-18) the lead in the top of the first, but the Tigers (19-10) answered with a run of their own in the home half before taking the lead in the second and scoring again in the fourth to pick up the win.
 
Kendall Aragon led the afternoon off with a single to left field before being forced out at second and replaced on the bases by Trystin Oshiro-Sano. After moving up to second on a groundout, Krueger hit a screamer to third base that caromed off the defender and into the outfield, allowing Oshiro-Sano to score as Mines got on the board first with two outs.
 
FHSU answered with a run of their own in the home half, as a leadoff single resulted in a run two batters later to draw even. The Tigers took the lead in the second inning, as another leadoff single came around to score on a two-out hit with base loaded to make it a 2-1 game.
 
Freshman Kat Miller (1-1), making her first start of the season, recorded a scoreless third inning before the Tigers managed another run in the fourth, as back-to-back errors and a base hit loaded the bases with one out for FHSU before a single back through the box plated another run to make it 3-1.
 
Lauren Decker took over for Miller in the circle to start the fifth and left two on base in the inning before working a scoreless sixth, stranding a runner that inning as well in her first appearance since March 5 against Regis.
 
Despite a seventh inning baserunner after Lexie Semeyn was hit by a pitch with two outs, Mines couldn't rally and dropped the opener 3-1.
 
The final game of the series was canceled and will not be made up.
 
NOTABLES
-Four different players recorded a hit in game one, led by Krueger's RBI single
-Oshiro-Sano ended the day 1-3 with a double and a run scored
-Aragon and Sara Larson also finished 1-3 in the game at the plate
-Miller worked four innings in her first career start, allowing three runs of which only to were earned, on seven hits
-Decker struck out one and allowed two hits in a scoreless relief outing

LOOKING AHEAD
The Orediggers will be back home in Golden this weekend to play CSU Pueblo in a four-game set to continue RMAC play 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.