A Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference softball series between the Chadron State College Eagles and Regis University Rangers finished up on Sunday the same way it began on Saturday, with the host Rangers completing the sweep 9-4 and 9-0 in Denver.
The Eagles fell to 4-24 (3-13 RMAC) on the day, while Regis is 20-11 (14-2 RMAC).
In the morning game, CSC batted a solid .300 as a team, versus .310 for the Rangers, and each team put 13 runners on base. However, Regis brought five more home from the bags while CSC stranded nine.
Things looked promising for the Eagles as they took their first at-bat. Amaya Ruiz and Sloane Quijas both singled in consecutive plate appearances, while Paige Edwards loaded the bases on a fielding error. Addison Spears’ three-RBI double brought all runners home, including Ramsey Deming, pinch-running for Edwards.
A solo homer by RU’s Jessi Case, in the bottom of the inning, cut the CSC lead to 3-1, but the game was essentially decided for the Rangers by a seven-run second-inning romp.
The rally began with two CSC errors in the Rangers’ first three at-bats. That landed two in scoring position after Case stole second. Miia Campos had an RBI single for Regis, putting runners at the corners, before Allisha Martinez’s three-run home run.
Nearly the same scenario played out twice in the inning for the Rangers, who put two more on base using a third CSC error, and another three-run blast by Carly Beard made it 8-3 Regis.
The Rangers got a solo homer from Rachel Williams in the fourth, before a fourth RBI by Spears in the fifth provided the final score.
Regis starter Kylie Harpman got her second pitching win of the weekend to improve to 10-4, while CSC’s Kenzi Garner fell to 3-6 with only 24 pitches thrown.
Abby Covington of Regis pitched all five innings for her team in the afternoon game, claiming a two-hit shutout.
The Rangers had two singles in the first inning, but also benefited from four walks as they went up 3-0. A two-RBI double by Carly Gray in the third made it 5-0.
Regis did the remainder of its damage in the fourth, scoring on two passed balls, a sac bunt, and an RBI single to invoke the run rule and end it 9-0 after CSC batted in the fifth.
Despite batting 2-for-17, CSC walked four times, reached on error once, and got hit by a pitch once to get eight total baserunners in the game.
Covington’s win made her 3-1 on the season, while CSC’s Peyton Propp dropped to 0-4.
The Eagles are back at home next weekend, for RMAC doubleheaders against New Mexico Highlands University on Saturday at noon and Sunday at 11 a.m.