GOLDEN, Colo. – The Colorado School of Mines closed out action from Joe Coors, Jr. Softball Field in 2026 Saturday as they wrapped up their four-game series against CSU Pueblo. After splitting the opening two games of the series Friday the Orediggers (24-26, 20-20) looked to claim the series on Senior Day, but instead came out on the short end of the score in both games against the ThunderWolves (36-14, 32-8) by results of 3-2 and 9-1 in five innings.
 
Game one of the day developed in a pitcher's duel early between McKenna James and Kat Miller (3-4). While James started her day with 3.1 perfect innings, Miller battled her way out of early trouble to match the CSUP ace. The senior stranded a pair in the first inning with help from her defense, highlighted by Kendall Aragon throwing out Caitlyn Cole at home plate, before going 1-2-3 against the ThunderWolves the next two innings. The Pack broke through for two runs in the fourth on a two-run home run to left center by Madelyn Huerta. Lauren Romero produced the first hit of the game for Mines in the home fourth before Lindy French produced the first run in the fifth with a two-out single through the right side that scored Madyson Ortiz from second to make it 2-1.
 
CSU Pueblo added another run in the sixth as a sacrifice fly from Emma Case scored Huerta to make it a two-run lead again at 3-1. Trailing heading to the seventh, the Orediggers seemed to have a golden opportunity to tie things up as a leadoff single by Katie Bauer followed by a double to left by Grace Weiler put runners at second and third with no outs. An unfortunate bit of bad luck seemingly sucked the wind out of the sails as Ortiz lined into a 1-5 double play that saw Bauer out at third on the play, but just as quickly Emiaj Self breathed new life to the rally with a double to left center that scored Weiler and made it 3-2. Looking to repeat her earlier success, French stood in next but took a tough called third strike on the outside corner from James to end the game.
 
In the finale CSU Pueblo scored four in the first inning on their way to a 7-1 lead after three innings. Starter Taylor Wayne (8-8) couldn't recapture her command from her series-opening performance Friday as the ThunderWolves sent nine to the plate in the opening frame as they scored four runs on four hits to jump in front. Kellan Ton provided a spark for Mines leading off the home half as with the defense playing her slap tendencies, the junior yanked a 1-2 offering up the first base line and into the right field corner as she wheeled around the bases for an easy inside-the-park home run. CSUP added two more runs in the second and another in the third as they took control of the contest.
 
Wayne's day in the circle ended in the fourth when Rylee Church took over and worked the first 1-2-3 inning of the game for Mines pitching. Offensive continued to be hard to come by against Kayli Cooper as she kept the Orediggers off balance all day. Two more runs went on the board in the fifth for The Pack as the eight-run rule came into effect following a wild pitch that scored Kaitlyn Cole and made it 9-1. Seeking a run to extend the game, Mines sent Kat Miller to the plate in the home half for her first career at bat in Golden with one out. Miller didn't miss a 2-1 offering as she doubled off the wall in center before being lifted for a pinch runner. While the potential game-extending run was in scoring position, it advanced no further as a strikeout and a popup closed the book on the weekend.
 
NOTABLES
-Miller's complete game in the opener was her first of the season as she struck out two and allowed three runs on five hits; her pinch-hit double in game two meanwhile was the first hit of her Mines career as she becomes the second player to record their first career hit with a double on senior day, joining Allison Westbrook from a season ago
-Romero and Bauer each had a pair of hits in game one
-French and Self drove in a run apiece in game one
-Self's double was her 11th of the season, setting a new career-best mark for doubles in a season
-Five members of this year's team were honored during Senior Day ceremonies postgame including Kendall Aragon, Wayne, Kenzie Sale, Bauer and Miller
-With results around the league Saturday, Mines is now one game out of the sixth and final playoff spot behind Black Hills State; BHSU travels to Colorado Mesa next weekend
 
ON DECK
Mines finishes out their regular season next weekend on the road at New Mexico Highlands May 1-2 as they look to advance to the postseason.
 
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.