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COLORADO MINES SOFTBALL LOSES FOUR AT MESA STATE

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – The Colorado School of Mines softball team dropped all four games at Mesa State during a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference series over the weekend and Bergman Field. The Mavericks won both games of Saturday’s twinbill by identical 4-0 scores, before taking Sunday’s opener in eight innings, 3-2, and the series finale, 9-0.

Junior Melanie Mahoney (Erie, Colo./Colorado State) went 6-for-12 with a double on the weekend, while redshirt freshman shortstop Beth Skidmore (Littleton, Colo./Dakota Ridge) had the lone RBI for Mines on the weekend and delivered two doubles.

The losses conclude the season for Mines at 22-23 overall and 11-19 in RMAC play. The 22 wins tie the school-record for wins in a season set back in 2002.

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MINES SOFTBALL SWEPT AT NEW MEXICO HIGHLANDS

LAS VEGAS, N.M. – The Colorado School of Mines softball team was swept in a four-game Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference series at New Mexico Highlands over the weekend. NMHU swept Saturday’s doubleheader, 3-2 and 4-2, and also took both games of Sunday’s twinbill, 5-1 and 7-1.

Mines junior centerfielder Kelly Hayes (Golden, Colo./Golden) went 2-for-3 in games two and four and also stole a base in the second game.

Junior pitcher Melanie Mahoney (Erie, Colo./Colorado State) registered a 4-for-12 performance at the plate for the series with a double and also drove in three of the Orediggers five runs on the weekend. Mahoney also pitched a pair of complete games, allowing eight runs, four earned, over the weekend.

CSM (22-19, 11-15 RMAC) will be back in action this weekend with a four-game series at Mesa State.

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COLORADO MINES SOFTBALL FALLS TWICE AT REGIS

DENVER, Colo. – The Colorado School of Mines softball team fell to 22-15 overall and 11-11 in conference play with two losses to Regis in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action Monday afternoon at Regis Field. The Rangers won game one, 7-3, and took the nightcap, 8-6.

Regis improved to 22-10 overall and 15-7 in the RMAC following the four-game sweep of Mines. Although Monday’s twinbill was played at Regis, the contests counted as home games for CSM.

In the opener, Regis struck for five unearned runs in the second inning and added two more in the seventh to take the victory. Michelle Johnston went 2-for-2 with a run and drove in two runs to lead the Ranger offense.

CSM senior catcher Niccole Culligan (Arvada, Colo./D’Evelyn) and sophomore rightfielder Brittany McKenzie (Pueblo, Colo./Pueblo South) each went 2-for-4 with an RBI in the opener.

In game two, Mines struck for four runs in the first inning to take early control of the game. Highlighting the inning was sophomore catcher Andi Eickelman’s (Pueblo, Colo./Pueblo East) three-run homer. It was her first of the season.

However, the Rangers came back to plate seven runs in the top half of the second inning to gain a 7-4 lead. After a two-run double from CSM junior first baseman Mel Mahoney (Erie, Colo./Colorado State) cut the lead to 7-6, neither team would score again until Regis scored another run in the fourth on an RBI single from Stacia Buda to make it 8-6 in favor of the Rangers.

The Orediggers are scheduled to return to action on Friday when they host Fort Hays State for an RMAC doubleheader at Metzler Park in Castle Rock. First pitch is slated for 12:00 pm.

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COLORADO MINES SOFTBALL DROPS TWO GAMES AT REGIS

DENVER, Colo. -- The Colorado School of Mines softball team dropped a pair of tightly contested contests at Regis University’s Regis Field in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action on Sunday afternoon. The Rangers won the opener, 3-2, with two runs in the bottom of the seventh, and scored in the bottom of the eighth in game two to earn a 3-2 victory.

The Orediggers took a 2-1 lead in the fourth inning of the opener when sophomore designated player Renea Rooks (LaJunta, Colo./LaJunta) delivered a two-out, RBI single up the middle to score sophomore rightfielder Brittany McKenzie (Pueblo, Colo./Pueblo South) who recorded a two-out single and stole second base to move into scoring position.

However, Regis third baseman Michelle Johnston recorded a two-out, two-run triple in the bottom of the seventh that scored both Sharita Richmond and Erica Solano with the winning runs. Both runs were unearned due to an Oredigger error.

Johnston finished 4-for-4 at the plate and drove in all three Ranger runs. CSM senior leftfielder Heidi Bauer (Littleton, Colo./Mullen) finished 2-for-3 in game one.

Regis’ Christina Wade earned the victory in the opener and moved to 9-5. She allowed two runs on nine hits and struck out seven. Mines junior Mel Mahoney (Erie, Colo./Colorado State) took the loss and fell to 12-6. She allowed three runs, one earned, on seven hits and fanned two.

CSM opened game two with a run in the first on an RBI single by Bauer, but the Rangers responded with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the first to claim a 2-1 lead. Mines would knot the game at 2-2 in the third as Bauer notched her second RBI of the game on a fielder’s choice.

Neither team would score again until Regis’ Anna Schafer recorded a one out single to leftfield in the bottom of the eighth to score Richmond with the game-winning run.

CSM sophomore Breeann DiCarlo (Louisville, Colo./Monarch) took the loss despite limiting the Rangers to just five hits and three runs, two earned. She fell to 8-6 on the season. Erica Solano picked up the win as she retired Mines in order in the top of the eighth. She is now 1-0 this year.

McKenzie finished the finale 3-for-3 at the plate, while no Ranger had more than one hit.

The same two teams will conclude their four-game series with another doubleheader on Monday at Regis Field beginning at 1:00 pm. Although the games will be at Regis, Mines will officially be the home team.

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MINES SOFTBALL TIES SINGLE SEASON SCHOOL-RECORD WIN TOTAL WITH DOUBLEHEADER SWEEP OF COLORADO COLLEGE

CASTLE ROCK, Colo. – The Colorado School of Mines softball team tied its single season school-record for victories in a season by sweeping a doubleheader from Colorado College in nonconfernce action Tuesday afternoon at Metzler Park. The 6-0 and 9-0 wins improve the Orediggers record to 22-11 overall, which ties them with the 2002 team that won 22 games that year.

In game one, sophomore Renea Rooks (LaJunta, Colo./LaJunta) fired a five-hit, complete game shutout to move to 2-1 on the season.

The Orediggers used two walks and a Tiger error in the first to plate three runs and assume control of the game. Junior first baseman Mel Mahoney (Erie, Colo./Colorado State) drove in two runs in the opener and also scored two times.

Colorado College sophomore Stacy Buff took the loss and fell to 1-5 on the year. She did limit Mines to five hits over four innings, but walked five.

In the finale, Mines struck for six runs over the first three innings and added one in the sixth and two in the seventh for the easy win. Eight of the nine Orediggers recorded at least one hit, while Rooks went 3-for-4 with three runs batted in and two runs. She also registered her first career home run.

Mahoney picked up the win to improve to 12-5. She limited CC to just two hits, while striking out three and did not walk a batter. Emily Grote went the distance for the Tigers and took the loss (1-8).

CSM (22-11, 11-7 RMAC) will return to action on Saturday afternoon when it travels to Regis for an RMAC doubleheader beginning at 12:00 pm. The Rangers will enter the game with an identical 11-7 mark in the conference as the teams are tied for third place in the conference standings.

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MINES SOFTBALL TAKES THREE OUT OF FOUR AT ADAMS STATE

ALAMOSA, Colo. – The Colorado School of Mines softball team improved to 20-11 overall and 11-7 in conference play by winning three of four Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference contests at Adams State over the weekend. CSM pulled out a pair of one run wins in Saturday’s twinbill, 5-4 in eight innings and 4-3. The Grizzlies then won Sunday’s opener, 3-2, while Mines won the finale, 3-1, as senior catcher Niccole Culligan (Arvada, Colo./D’Evelyn) belted a two-out, two-run homer in the seventh inning.

In game one, the Orediggers trailed, 4-1, after six, but scored three times in the seventh, including a two run double by freshman third baseman Brianne Brennan (Grand Junction, Colo./Grand Junction) to knot the game at 4-4. Mines then won it in the eighth on an RBI single by sophomore leftfielder Brittany McKenzie (Pueblo, Colo./Pueblo South).

In game two, Brennan again came up big as she delivered an RBI single in the fifth to break a 2-2 tie. Following a brief delay due to snow, the Orediggers added another run in the top of the sixth to build a 4-2 lead before a wild pitch allowed ASC’s Mandie Roark to score cutting CSM’s lead to 4-3 after six.

Game three saw the Grizzlies (5-31, 2-18 RMAC) tally a pair of runs in the sixth inning to rally from a 2-1 deficit and hold on for the win. CSM sophomore catcher Andi Eickelman (Pueblo, Colo./Pueblo East) led off the top of the seventh with a double and advanced to third on a two-out, but was stranded there.

The series finale was again close throughout and knotted at 1-1 heading into the seventh. Eickelman was hit by a pitch with one out, stole second and moved to third on a wild pitch. Following a fly ball to right field, Culligan belted a 1-1 pitch over the rightfield fence to lift Mines to the win.

Sophomore Breeann DiCarlo (Louisville, Colo./Monarch) improved to 8-5 on the mound as she won games two and four. She fired two complete games, allowing just four runs and striking out eight. Junior Mel Mahoney (Erie, Colo./Colorado State) won game one and lost game three and moved to 11-5 this year.

Brennan finished the series 5-for-14 with a double and three RBI, while Mahoney went 4-for-12 at the plate with three doubles and two runs batted in.

Mines will return to action on Tuesday afternoon when it hosts Colorado College for a nonconference doubleheader beginning at 3:00 pm at Castle Rock’s Metzler Park.

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MINES SOFTBALL SPLITS TWINBILL WITH CU-COLORADO SPRINGS

CASTLE ROCK, Colo. -- Colorado School of Mines junior pitcher Mel Mahoney (Erie, Colo./Colorado State) fired a complete game and redshirt freshman shortstop Beth Skidmore (Littleton, Colo./Dakota Ridge) added a solo homer in the first inning as the Oreddigers handed the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs a 2-1 loss in the first game of Sunday’s Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference doubleheader at Metzler Park. UCCS would go on to take game two, 8-3, in eight innings as it scored five runs in the first extra frame.

In game one, Skidmore gave the Orediggers an early lead with a home run to leftfield in the bottom of the first. Freshman third baseman Brianne Brennan (Grand Junction, Colo./Grand Junction) added an RBI double in the first and that proved to be enough run support for Mahoney in the opener.

Mahoney allowed seven hits and did not give up a run until the seventh inning and retired Amber Colton on a grounder to first base to end the game with the tying run on second base. The win improved Mahoney to 10-3 this year.

Mahoney also got the call in game two and held the Mountain Lions at bay for much of the game. Trailing 3-1 heading into the bottom of the seventh, Skidmore sent the game into extra innings with a two-run single with two outs.

However, UCCS went on to score five runs in the eighth, including two on back-to-back suicide squeeze bunts to pull out the win.

Mahoney lasted seven innings, allowing five earned runs on 10 hits. Brenna Pool fired a complete game for the Mountain Lions and gave up three runs on eight hits.

Skidmore finished the day 3-for-6 with a run and two runs batted in.

Mines (17-10, 8-6 RMAC) will return to action next weekend when it travels to Alamosa, Colo., to play a four-game series at Adams State. The two teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 12:00 pm and another twinbill on Sunday slated to begin at 11:00 am.

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MINES SOFTBALL DROPS TWINBILL TO CU-COLORADO SPRINGS

CASTLE ROCK, Colo. -- The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs softball team ran its win streak to a school-record 12 games by sweeping a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference doubleheader from Colorado School of Mines on Saturday afternoon at Metzler Park. UCCS squeaked out a 5-3 win in the opener before earning a 14-0 win in five innings in the nightcap.

The Mountain Lions took advantage of two Mines errors in the second inning of game one and struck for three unearned runs. Kara Rainey did most of the damage as she delivered a two-run single.

The Orediggers got one run back in the bottom half of the inning thanks to an RBI single from sophomore rightfielder Brittany McKenzie (Pueblo, Colo./Pueblo South), but UCCS regained a three-run lead in the third (4-1) when Crystal Krebs blasted a solo homer to rightcenter field.

After a single UCCS tally in the sixth made the score 5-1, CSM junior pitcher Mel Mahoney (Erie, Colo./Colorado State) belted a two-run homer to leftfield, but the Orediggers could not muster another run as Amber Colton retired six of the final seven she faced.

Colton earned the win, allowing three runs on six hits and improved to 8-2, while Mahoney was hit with the loss, despite allowing just two earned runs on 11 hits. She fell to 9-3.

In game two, UCCS erupted for seven runs in the second inning in claiming the win. Krebs finished 3-for-3 with a homer, three runs and three RBI, with Brittni Carlson added three hits and two runs batted in.

Brenna Pool fired a complete-game, seven hitter and moved to 6-3. It was her third straight shutout. Sophomore Breeann DiCarlo (Louisville, Colo./Monarch) took the loss and fell to 6-5.

CSM sophomore first baseman Tyler Farley (Arvada, Colo./Arvada West) finished the two games by going 4-for-6 at the plate and senior second baseman Heidi Bauer (Littleton, Colo./Mullen) went 3-for-6 with a run scored.

Mines (16-9, 7-5 RMAC) will conclude its series with UCCS on Sunday afternoon with a doubleheader at Metzler Park. First pitch is slated for 11:00 am.

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MINES SOFTBALL TAKES FINAL TWO FROM FORT LEWIS

CASTLE ROCK, Colo. – Colorado School of Mines junior Mel Mahoney (Erie, Colo./Colorado State) pitched a complete-game, six hitter to lead the Orediggers to a 7-3 win over Fort Lewis in game one of Saturday’s Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference doubleheader at Metzler Park. Mahoney then went 3-for-4 with two homers and five RBI in game two to pace Mines to an 11-5 win and help the Orediggers take three of four games from the Skyhawks this weekend.

In today’s opener, Mines took a 3-2 lead into the fifth inning and broke the game open with four runs in the bottom half of the inning. Sophomore first baseman Tyler Farley (Arvada, Colo./Arvada) delivered a key two-run single.

Mahoney moved to 5-2 on the season with the win, while senior leftfielder Heidi Bauer (Littleton, Colo./Mullen) went 3-for-4 with an RBI in the first game.

In the series finale, Mines struck for five runs in both the first and second innings to take control of the game. Mahoney belted a three-run homer in the first, an RBI single in the second and added a solo shot in the fifth inning. Every Oredigger starter recorded at least one hit in game two, as CSM pounded out a total of 15 hits.

Sophomore Breeann DiCarlo (Louisville, Colo./Monarch) picked up the win in relief. She went 4 2/3 innings, allowing no runs, six hits and striking out two.

CSM (8-6, 7-3 RMAC) will return to action this week with nine games in at the Tucson Invitational. They will open play with two games on Monday, including the opener against Bradley College at 10:00 am.

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MINES SOFTBALL SPLITS FIRST TWO WITH FORT LEWIS

CASTLE ROCK, Colo. – The Colorado School of Mines softball team split two Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference games with Fort Lewis on Friday afternoon at Metzler Community Complex. Mines won the opener, 4-3, while the Skyhawks pulled out a 6-1 win in game two.

In the first game, each team scored three runs over the first two innings and the game remained tied at 3-3 until the bottom of the fifth when senior leftfielder Heidi Bauer (Littleton, Colo./Mullen) scored an unearned run which proved to be the game-winner.

Junior Mel Mahoney (Erie, Colo./Colorado State) moved to 4-2 on the season as she threw a complete game, seven hitter. Mahoney allowed two earned runs and struck out five. Annie Jenicek-Burtis took the loss and slipped to 0-7.

CSM redshirt freshman shortstop Beth Skidmore (Littleton, Colo./Dakota Ridge) delivered a two-run triple for Mines, while Mahoney also drove in a run in the opener.

In game two, Skyhawk pitcher Tara Berg limited the Oredigger offense to just one run on two hits and struck out five. Melanie Lovato drove in two runs for Fort Lewis in the nightcap, while Mahoney had both hits for Mines, including an RBI single in the fourth.

Berg improved to 4-3 with the win, while CSM sophomore Breeann DiCarlo (Louisville, Colo./Monarch) went 5 1/3 innings, allowing four runs on seven hits to take the loss (2-4).

Mines will host Fort Lewis for two more games on Saturday at Metzler Park in Castle Rock. First pitch is slated for 11:00 am.

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MINES SOFTBALL SWEEPS FOUR GAME SERIES AT CSU-PUEBLO

PUEBLO, Colo. – The Colorado School of Mines softball team earned a four-game sweep of Colorado State-Pueblo over the weekend in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action. CSM swept Saturday’s twinbill, 4-2 and 4-3, and came back on Sunday to pick up wins of 7-3 and 7-1.

In Saturday’s twinbill, freshman third baseman Brianne Brennan (Grand Junction, Colo./Central) was a perfect 8-for-8 at the plate with four runs batted in and a run scored. She hit what proved to be the game-winning homer in the fifth inning of game one. In game two, the Orediggers struck for three runs in the first, highlighted by RBI singles from Brennan and sophomore rightfielder Tyler Farley (Arvada, Colo./Arvada West).

Junior Mel Mahoney (Erie, Colo./Colorado State) fired a complete game, allowing nine hits and two runs (one earned) to pick up the win in the opener and moved to 3-2. Sophomore Breeann DiCarlo (Louisville, Colo./Monarch) pitched 2 2/3 innings of relief in the second game, allowing just two hits and earned the win.

In Sunday’s first game, Mahoney threw another compelte game, five hitter to pick up the win. Farley was 3-for-3 with three runs batted in and a homer in the win.

The series finale saw Mahoney do her damage at the plate as she went 4-for-4 with two homers, three RBI and two runs scored, while senior leftfielder Heidi Bauer (Littleton, Colo./Mullen) was 2-for-4 with three driven in and also hit a roundtripper.

DiCarlo threw 6 1/3 innings of six-hit ball, allowing just one run and striking out four to pick up the win and move to 2-3 this season.

Mines (5-5, 4-2 RMAC) will be back in action this weekend when it hosts Fort Lewis for a four-game RMAC series beginning Friday at 12:00 pm at Metzler Park in Castle Rock, Colo. The series will conclude with another doubleheader at 11:00 am Saturday at Metzler Park.

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MINES SOFTBALL DROPS TWO AT NEBRASKA-KEARNEY

KEARNEY, Neb. – The Colorado School of Mines softball team dropped two games at Nebraska-Kearney on Saturday afternoon in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action at Harvey Park. UNK won the opener, 11-6, and the second game, 4-3.

In game one, Mines took a 4-0 lead after two innings with a run in the first and a three-run double by junior first baseman Mel Mahoney (Erie, Colo./Colorado State). However, the Lopers would go on to strike for four runs in the third and six more in the fourth to assume control of the game.

UNK’s Katie Anderson picked up the win by going the distance and allowing just five hits.

In Saturday’s finale, CSM scored two in the second on a two-run single from redshirt freshman shortstop Beth Skidmore (Littleton, Colo./Dakota Ridge). But once again, the Lopers would rally as they posted four runs in the fourth inning, including a two-run double from Lacey Allen.

Mines went on to threaten in the top half of the seventh by loading the bases with one out. However, Skidmore was thrown out at the plate on a fielder’s choice from Brianne Brennan and following an RBI single from sophomore first baseman Tyler Farley (Arvada, Colo./Arvada West), sophomore rightfielder Brittany McKenzie (Pueblo, Colo./Pueblo South) hit into a fielder’s choice to end the game.

Skidmore finished the two games 3-for-7 with two RBI and a run, while Mahoney went 4-for-7 with four runs batted in.

Danae Wolcott picked up the win in game two, allowing one earned run on eight hits.

The two teams are scheduled to conclude their four game series with two more games on Sunday beginning at 11:00 am.

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CSM SOFTBALL POSTS 2-3 RECORD AT LAS VEGAS TOURNAMENT

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – The Colorado School of Mines softball team posted a 2-3 record at its season opening Las Vegas Crossover Tournament last weekend. CSM opened with a 7-5 win over Incarnate Word in nine innings and dropped its next three games to St. Mary’s (10-2), Montana State-Billings (1-0) and Texas Woman’s University (6-4), before scoring a 7-0 forfeit win over Tarleton State to end the three day tournament.

In the win over Incarnate Word, senior leftfielder Heidi Bauer (Littleton, Colo./Chatfield) belted a two-run, walk off home run in the ninth for Mines.

The Orediggers then drew St. Mary’s (Texas), the 2002 NCAA Division II Champions, and could muster just five hits for the game. Freshman third baseman Brianne Brennan (Grand Junction, Colo./Central) delivered a two-run double for Mines.

In the third game, junior Mel Mahoney (Erie, Colo./Colorado State) fired a complete game, one hitter, but the Oredigger offense was held scoreless despite pounding out 11 hits. CSM then dropped a 6-4 decision to Texas Woman’s University, despite a 3-for-4 performance at the plate from Bauer. TWU was ahead, 4-3, after two innings, but added a pair of runs in the fourth and fifth innings and hung on for the win.

Several Orediggers had outstanding tournaments, led by Bauer who finished batting .600 (9-15) with six runs, two doubles, a homer and three runs batted in. Brennan finished the tournament with a .500 batting average (6-12) and a team-best four RBI, while senior second baseman Kim Kaiser (Sedalia, Colo./Douglas County) hit .364 (4-11) with a double and two runs batted in.

Mahoney posted a 1-1 mark with a 1.69 earned run average as she allowed six runs (three earned) in 16 innings of work and struck out five.

Mines was slated to return to action this weekend at the Mile Hi Classic in Castle Rock, but the two-day event was cancelled due to inclement weather. CSM is now scheduled to return to play on Feb. 28-29 when it travels to Nebraska-Kearney for a four game series to open conference play.

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