Mines (0-4) vs. #19 Wingate (1-1) – Friday, 12 p.m. ET – Miami Shores, Fla. [Live Stats] [SSC Digital Network]
Mines (0-4) at Barry (1-2) – Friday, 6 p.m. ET – Miami Shores, Fla. [Live Stats] [SSC Digital Network]
Mines (0-4) vs. #16 East Stroudsburg (1-1) – Saturday, 3 p.m. ET – Miami Shores, Fla. [Live Stats] [SSC Digital Network]
Mines (0-4) at Barry (1-2) – Saturday, 6 p.m. ET – Miami Shores, Fla. [Live Stats] [SSC Digital Network]
Mines (0-4) at #RV Nova Southeastern (3-2) (DH) – Sunday, 10 a.m. ET – Fort Lauderdale, Fla. [Live Stats Game 1] [Live Stats Game 2] [SSC Digital Network]

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STAYING BUSY 
A busy weekend awaits the Colorado School of Mines softball team as they'll head to South Florida for the third consecutive season this weekend with six games scheduled over three days and more ranked opponents on deck as they'll take on #19 Wingate, Barry, #16 East Stroudsburg and #RV Nova Southeastern.
 
LIVE COVERAGE
Live stats will be available for all games through StatBroadcast. All six games this weekend will also be available for free on the Sunshine State Conference Digital Network. Fans please note, neutral site games against Wingate and East Stroudsburg at Barry will not have commentary. Links to live coverage can be found at minesathletics.com.
 
UNDER NEW LEADERSHIP
On December 2, 2024, Tobin Echo-Hawk was named the 13th head coach of Mines softball. A Colorado native from nearby Louisville and most recently the head softball coach of Erie High School, Echo-Hawk brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Golden.
 
An All-American infielder at Nebraska during the Huskers' ascendance to a national powerhouse, Echo-Hawk holds numerous single-season and career records from a highly decorated career. After her time in Lincoln, Echo-Hawk got her coaching start at Portland State University as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator before being elevated to the head position after two seasons. She led the Vikings for five years before moving onto the University of Texas El Paso for six seasons as head coach. Her most recent stop at the collegiate level was at New Mexico State where she spent two seasons as an assistant coach.
 
Read more on the new leader of the Orediggers here.
 
WEEK 1 RECAP
Mines opened 2025 at the DII First Pitch Invitational in Conroe, Texas last weekend and despite the 0-4 result, were competitive in each game they played including a pair against Top 15 opponents. Opening day saw the Orediggers drop an 8-7 contest to Texas A&M International and an 11-7 result to St. Mary's (TX).
 
In the opener against the Dustdevils, the Orediggers trailed 2-0 through two innings before scoring three in the third to take the lead behind a two-run single by Hannah Roberts. TAMIU then scored six runs over the next two innings as Mines again rallied in the late innings starting with a Grace Weiler sac fly in the sixth. Kailey Morales belted a two-run double in the seventh before E Self singled home a run to left to make it 8-7, but ultimately Mines would leave the bases loaded and drop the opener. Game two against St. Mary's saw a quick 5-0 lead after two innings thanks to a trio of bases loaded walks, a wild pitch and a Cassidy Chvatal RBI single. The Rattlers responded with six runs in the third and though a Kendall Aragon sac fly briefly tied things, St. Mary's plated four more in the fourth and one in the seventh to hang on for the win.
 
Saturday against #11 Angelo State and #1 UT Tyler, the Orediggers were held to just six hits against the Rambelles though they did look to rally in the bottom of the seventh as a pinch hit parade loaded the bases with one out before a game-ended double played sealed a 6-0 loss. Against the defending national champion Patriots, Mines took a 3-2 lead in the third thanks to Roberts, Morales and Emily Rogers and gave UTT all they could handle and then some, but left 11 runners on base while a five in the error column of the scoreboard loomed large in an 8-3 decision.
 
Sunday resulted in a no-contest against Texas Woman's due to travel conflicts and not being able to reach the minimum required game length in the allotted time, but once again Mines was competitive. After going down 5-0 in the first inning, the Orediggers rallied for three runs in the third inning behind back-to-back run scoring doubles by Mia Lopez and Chvatal. Kailey Morales homered to lead off the fourth to make it a one-run contest, but as the pre-arranged drop-dead time came and went, none of it mattered as the game and subsequent stats would not be official.
 
IN THE POLLS
The Orediggers were picked to finish seventh in the RMAC Preseason Coaches Poll as announced back on January 16. Colorado Mesa was voted as the favorite to win the league in 2025 followed by Colorado Christian, MSU Denver, Regis and CSU Pueblo. UCCS was one spot ahead of Mines in sixth while behind the Orediggers, Fort Lewis, Black Hills State, Chadron State, New Mexico Highlands and Adams State round out the 12 teams.
 
The preseason national rankings were announced on January 21 and saw five teams on Mines' schedule either in the Top 25 or in consideration. Defending national champion UT Tyler was ranked #1 with Angelo State just outside the top 10 at #11. Week two opponents East Stroudsburg and Nova Southeastern are #16 and receiving votes while #21 Colorado Mesa is on deck week three of RMAC play to begin the month of March.
 
HELLO, MY NAME IS…
Five newcomers join the Orediggers for the 2025 campaign. Lindy French, Brooke Gonzales, Mia Lopez and Grace Weiler were part of the 2024 signing class while Kiyana Tsuei was a mid-year addition to the program. That group will join a roster loaded with experience at the collegiate level. Check out each player's roster bio to learn more about them heading into the season.
 
MEET THE CAPTAINS
A new group of captains will lead the Orediggers into the 2025 season as seniors Cassidy Chvatal, Kailey Morales and Hannah Roberts will be joined by redshirt junior Taylor Wayne and junior Kendall Aragon.
 
Chvatal transitioned into a new role as the everyday right fielder for Mines in 2024 and had an outstanding season, starting all 50 games she played and batting .285 and leading the team with eight home runs and 10 doubles while driving in 27 runs and scoring 30.
 
Morales, a veteran catcher with 47 games behind the dish, belted her first career home run last season and added a pair of doubles while scoring seven times and driving in seven while helping guide the pitching staff to a 3.73 ERA in 2024.
 
Roberts emerged as the full-time starter at second base last spring after platooning there her first two seasons. She started 45 times in 47 games and batted .283 with six doubles, 10 RBI and 19 runs scored and hit .411 over the final three weeks of the season, as well as posting a career-best .956 fielding percentage.
 
Wayne missed the entirety of 2024 recovering from a hand injury and will look to contribute in multiple positions in 2025. In 2023, she won three games in the circle and struck out 30 in 62 innings of work with her best performance coming at Chadron State on March 20, when she spun a one-hit shutout.
 
Aragon, a two-time All-RMAC performer in her first two seasons, has been a fixture in the outfield since the day she stepped on campus. A starter in all 101 games she has played, Aragon is a career .390 hitter and has scored 59 runs while driving in 46 and turning in back-to-back 60-hit seasons.
 
OFFSEASON UPGRADES
Fans coming to Joe Coors, Jr. Softball Field in 2025 will notice the venue got a facelift over the offseason. The latest in a long series of facility improvements saw the complete resurfacing of the field with artificial turf thanks in large part to the vision and generosity of numerous individuals, headed up by a trio of softball alumni in Kerry Siggins '01, Kari Gonzales '02 and Kim Alanis '04. Take a look at the completed project here.
 
NEW YEAR, NEW LOOK
The Orediggers have completed a full update of their uniforms ahead of the 2025 season with the addition of a new navy uniform. Last spring, two new uniforms took to the field with the addition of new white and gray kits reflective of the recent branding updates across the athletic department. Take a look at the new threads Mines will be rocking this spring here.
 
A GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION
A couple of Orediggers turned in solid weekends in their collegiate debuts down in Texas. E Self, a second-year freshman who redshirted in 2024, went 4-6 with an RBI and hit safely in all three games she appeared in highlighted by a 2-3 performance in her Mines debut against Texas A&M International. 2025 newcomer Lindy French opened eyes as well, as she began her career 6-6 before finishing the weekend 7-11. Likewise, she hit safely in all four games in a variety of roles starting as a pinch hitter against TAMIU before seeing time at third base and designated player. Her big performance was a 4-4 game against St. Mary's in her first career start. Mia Lopez likewise had a bright showing, going 2-5 with a run and hitting a run-scoring double that ultimately didn't count against Texas Woman's. Those three, along with several other younger players on the roster, showed that 2025 could be provide something special as the season moves along.
 
WHAT'S IN A NUMBER
With her pinch hit appearance against Angelo State Saturday, Kate Whipple became the first player in Mines history to wear the #00 in a game. Likewise, Lindy French became the first player to wear #30 in a game opening day against Texas A&M International and is also the first Mines player to appear in a game wearing a number higher than #24.
 
CHECKING THE STAT SHEET
Through one weekend, E Self leads the way at the dish having gone 4-6 opening weekend with an RBI. Lindy French burst onto the scene, starting her career 6-6 before finishing the weekend 7-11 and hitting safely in all four games played. Kellan Ton picked up right where she left off in 2024, going 6-13 with a double and four runs scored while stealing her first base of the season.
 
Mia Lopez went 2-5 with a run scored while Kailey Morales went 4-12 with a double, three RBI and a run scored. Cassidy Chvatal tripled and drove in a run as part of a 4-13 weekend while Hannah Roberts drove in five.
 
In the circle, Kat Miller is 0-1 in two games with one start for 8.2 innings with a 4.40 ERA, allowing five earned runs on 10 hits with three strikeouts with a BAA of .270. Ellen Shull looked strong in her first two collegiate starts, going 0-1 as well over 10 innings. Taylor Wayne recorded a hit at the plate and returned the circle for the first time in more than a year and a half, striking out four in seven innings while Allison Westbrook appeared once in relief for 1.1 innings.
 
In four games, Mines is batting .304 with a .406 on-base percentage and a .339 slugging percentage. As a staff they sport a 6.74 ERA over 27 innings worked with eight strikeouts and a .355 BAA while defensively they are fielding .905.
 
SCOUTING WINGATE
A member of the South Atlantic Conference, Wingate went 1-1 in two games opening weekend against Lander, dropping game one 4-2 before rallying to take game two 10-5. Last season the Bulldogs made it to the third round of the SAC Tournament and hosted the Southeast Regional as the number one seed as part of a 49-11 season.
 
In a limited sample size this season, Hali Scott is 3-5 at the plate with a home run and four RBI while Savanna Brooks is 3-6 with a double and two runs scored. Riley Griffin is 2-5 with an RBI and two runs while Raelynn Kramer, Hannah Stevens and Kylie LaRousa each have a double and four RBI between them.
 
In the circle, Lily Huneycutt is 1-0 has yet to allow an earned run in three innings of work while Scott is 0-1 with two strikeouts in two innings of work. Jillian Thomas has worked four innings of relief and struck out four and allowed two runs on four hits. Lily Robbins has struck out three in three innings and also allowed two runs on four hits. Raleigh Dudley has made one appearance for one innings and struck out two.
 
Overall, Wingate is batting .286 as a team with an on-base percentage and slugging percentage of .411. They sport a 3.23 ERA with 12 strikeouts against six walks in the circle with a BAA of .278 and are fielding .940.
 
SCOUTING BARRY
Barry is 1-2 after limited action opening weekend as they posted a 5-0 win over West Alabama the was bracketed by 5-0 and 11-6 losses to West Florida and #8 North Georgia.
 
Caroline Figueroa is 5-11 in the early going with two doubles, a home run and four RBI while Sofia Chamorro is 4-9 with two RBI. Harper Bunn is 4-11 with a double while Sarah Langlie's only hit this season has been a two-bagger. Mac Stone-Folmar and Paige White have three hits apiece while Brooklyn Rushton and Bunn have four hits each.
 
In the circle, Samantha Rosenberger is 1-1 in two starts with a complete game and four strikeouts across 11 innings of work and held opponents to .217 at the plate. Haelee Angelico is 0-1 in two games with a start for eight innings and has six strikeouts against five walks while hitting an additional three batters while Chloe Barber has made one appearance for one inning.
 
The Bucs as a team are batting .287 with a .392 on-base percentage and a .368 slugging percentage. In the circle, they have a 4.90 ERA and a .267 BAA while fielding .921.
 
SCOUTING EAST STROUDSBURG
The Warriors got their season underway Wednesday at Eckerd in St. Petersburg and play Nova Southeastern Friday before coming to Miami Shores Saturday to play Mines and Barry. Last season ESU went 46-17, losing in the PSAC title game and hosting the Atlantic Regional last season.
 
ESU split opening day with the Tritons, taking game one 4-2 before dropping a 14-5 decision in five innings in game two in which EC recorded innings with five and seven runs along the way.
 
Tatum Kresley had a big day for East Stroudsburg, going 5-8 on the afternoon with a double and three runs scored. Kinsley Proepper went 3-4 with an RBI while Katie Master hit a three-run home run in game two. Abigail Weirich also recorded a pair of two-hit games and went 4-7 on the day.
 
As far as pitching goes, Sarah Davenport went the distance in game one to pick up the win, fanning 11 against three walks and allowing two unearned runs on four hits. Game two starter Meadow Lake didn't fare as well, getting charged with the loss after allowing two runs and failing to record an out. Relievers Abbie Landrum and Faith Troyer also saw time, with the senior Landrum allowing two unearned runs in two thirds of an inning while the freshman Troyer was tagged for 10 runs (eight earned) on eight hits over 3.1 innings while issuing four of the team's eight walks in the game.
 
As a team, ESU is batting .333 with a .370 on-base percentage and a .471 slugging percentage. They have a 6.36 team ERA with a .298 BAA and are fielding .929.
 
SCOUTING NOVA SOUTHEASTERN
NSU went 3-2 at the Gulf Shores Invitational last weekend, posting wins over #9 Rogers State, West Florida and West Alabama by scores of 5-1, 7-3 and 1-0 with losses to Lubbock Christian and #24 Oklahoma Christian 3-1 and 6-5. They will take on East Stroudsburg Friday and Wingate Saturday before hosting Mines Sunday.
 
Through five games, Aubrey Hutzler is batting .429 and slugging .786 with two doubles, a home run and three RBI. Cassidy Duskin is 5-5 on stolen bases and is batting .389 with a double and three RBI while Tori Copeland has driven in four. Brenna Lokeinsky is batting .250 but has a home run and four RBI in addition to going 2-3 on steals while Cassidy Patterson has stolen three bases in three tries.
 
In the circle, Duskin has lead the way as well, sporting a 0.50 ERA in two starts with a shutout over 14 innings, striking out four and posting a .160 BAA. Brooke Mahaney is 0-1 in one game with five innings worked and despite giving up six runs, five were unearned. Gracelyn Wallace is 1-1 in three games with two starts and a 2.10 ERA with seven strikeouts in 13.1 innings and like Duskin has worked two complete games.
 
As a team, the Sharks are batting .256 with a .336 on-base percentage and a .372 slugging percentage. They have a team ERA of 1.30 across 32.1 innings and a .215 BAA which is backed up by a .986 fielding percentage.
 
SERIES HISTORY
Two more first time opponents await the Orediggers this weekend in Wingate and East Stroudsburg. Meanwhile against both Barry and Nova Southeastern, Mines is 1-3 in four all-time meetings against both teams.
 
Against the Bucs, the Orediggers split last season's two games, picking up a 3-2 win before falling 5-4 in eight innings in game two. 2023 saw Barry take a 5-4 contest in 13 innings in the first-ever meeting between the schools followed by a 4-0 win in game two.
 
Against the Sharks, Mines took the first-ever meeting between the teams in 2023 by a score of 3-2 before dropping a 6-4 contest in game two. Last year NSU run-ruled the Orediggers in both games by tallies of 10-2 in five innings and 9-1 in six innings.

ON DECK
Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action is next for the Orediggers as they'll head south on I-25 to Colorado Springs to take on UCCS in a four game series February 15-16.
 
Fans can keep up with Mines softball on X at @MinesSoftball and on Instagram at @mines_sb. They can also keep up with Colorado School of Mines Athletics all year long on Facebook, X and Instagram using the handle @MinesAthletics.