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CSM SPLITS FINAL TWO GAMES OF SEASON AT CHADRON STATE

CHADRON, Neb. - The Colorado School of Mines softball team ended the 2007 season with a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference doubleheader split at Chadron State's CSC Field on Sunday afternoon. The split enabled the Orediggers to take 3-of-4 from the Eagles and conclude the season with an overall record of 25-22 (16-19 RMAC).

CSM won the opener, 4-0, but dropped its season finale, 3-2. The 25 wins this season are a CSM single season record, surpassing the 22 wins in 2002. Despite winning three of four at CSC over the weekend, the Orediggers saw their chances of making the RMAC Tournament vanish on Saturday afternoon when Regis won two games at New Mexico Highlands.

CSM needed to sweep four games from Chadron State and hope Regis won no more than one game at NMHU to qualify for the RMAC Tournament.

In Sunday's opener, CSM sophomore Taylor Cayou (Lakewood, Colo./Green Mountain) fired a complete game, three hitter to lead the Orediggers to the win. She improved to 10-7 this season. Senior catcher Beth Skidmore (Littleton, Colo./Dakota Ridge) went 2-for-4 with two runs batted in in game one, while senior third baseman Brianne Brennan (Grand Junction, Colo./Central) was 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run.

Freshman centerfielder Kaleigh Starr (Lakewood, Colo./Bear Creek) hit a solo homer.

In the nightcap, CSM took a 2-1 lead after three innings, but the Eagles rallied for two runs in the fourth to claim the win.

-OREDIGGERS-

CSM SOFTBALL WINS FIRST TWO FROM CHADRON STATE

CHADRON, Neb. - The Colorado School of Mines softball team set a single season record for wins in a season by sweeping Chadron State on Saturday afternoon at CSC Softball Field in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action.

CSM won the opener, 9-1, and the nightcap, 11-4.

In Saturday's opener, CSM scored five runs in the seventh to blow the game open. Sophomore second baseman Peanut Eickelman (Pueblo, Colo./Pueblo East) went 4-for-4 with two runs and two RBI, while sophomore first baseman Katie Kocman (Littleton, Colo./Columbine) drove in three runs and was 2-for-3.

Kocman also drove in six runs in the nightcap and picked up the win on the mound (13-10) with a complete-game, four hitter. Sophomore Taylor Cayou (Lakewood, Colo./Green Mountain) won the opener with a complete-game, four hitter. She fanned six.

CSM will conclude its season with two more games at Chadron State on Sunday afternoon. The first game is slated for 11:00 am.

-OREDIGGERS-

CSM SOFTBALL TAKES TWO FROM NEW MEXICO HIGHLANDS

GOLDEN, Colo. - The Colorado School of Mines softball team won both games of a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference doubleheader Sunday afternoon at CSM Softball Field against New Mexico Highlands. Mines ended the four game series 3-1.

Both of Sunday's games ended in the fifth innning as CSM took advantage of the eight run rule. The Orediggers won the first game, 12-0, and went on to win the second game, 8-0.

Katie Kocman highlighted the first game with a grandslam in the bottom of the fourth inning as to propel CSM to a nine run fourth inning. She then came back in the nightcap and pitched a no-hitter. It is the second no-hitter by a CSM pitcher this year as Taylor Cayou fired one in the first game of the season against Colorado College.

Cayou had one of her best games of the season in game one this afternoon, as she ended the game with nine strikeouts and zero walks. Cayou only allowed five hits and no runs were scored.

With the two wins, Mines tied the school record for most wins in a season. Next week they will travel to Chadron, Neb. for a four game series in hopes of breaking the record. Mines is now 22-21 overall and 13-18 in conference play.

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CSM SOFTBALL SPLITS DOUBLEHEADER AGAINST NEW MEXICO HIGHLANDS

GOLDEN, Colo. - The Colorado School of Mines softball team split a pair of Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference games Saturday afternoon at CSM Softball Field.

The Orediggers won the first game against the Cowgirls from New Mexico Highlands University 3-1 but fell short the second game, losing 3-1.

Brianne Brennan (Grand Junction, Colo./Central) hit a two run homer to give the Orediggers a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the fourth in the first game. The Orediggers went on to score one more run in the fourth giving them the 3-1 victory.

Sophmore pitcher Taylor Cayou (Lakewood, Colo./Green Mountain) gave up only six hits and one run in the 3-1 victory, improving her record to 8-7 on the season.

Mines will close out the series against NMHU tomorrow with a double header, opening game will be at 11:00 am.

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CSM SOFTBALL SPLITS DOUBLEHEADER AT UC-COLORADO SPRINGS

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The Colorado School of Mines softball team split a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference doubleheader Sunday afternoon at UC-Colorado Springs and wound up splitting the four game series with the Mountain Lions.

UCCS won the opener, 8-0, but the Orediggers responded to take the nightcap, 15-3. CSM scored 11 runs in the fifth inning to blow the game open.

CSM was limited to just three hits in the five inning opener, but responded with 14 hits in game two. Freshman rightfielder Jackye Lagen (Bellingham, Wash./Sehome) went 3-for-4 with three runs and an RBI in game two, while senior catcher Beth Skidmore (Littleton, Colo./Dakota Ridge) was 2-for-4 with a run and four RBI. She hit a three run homer.

Sophomore Katie Kocman (Littleton, Colo./Columbine) pitched five innings to earn the win and improve to 11-9. She allowed three runs on five hits and fanned three.

CSM (19-20, 10-17 RMAC) will return to action on Saturday afternoon when it hosts New Mexico Highlands at 12:00 pm at CSM Field.

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CSM SOFTBALL SPLITS DOUBLEHEADER AT UC-COLORADO SPRINGS

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The Colorado School of Mines softball team split a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference doubleheader on Saturday afternoon at UC-Colorado Springs. CSM won the opener, 11-6, but could not complete the sweep at it fell, 9-1, in game two.

In the opener, CSM scored eight times in the first inning on seven hits for the win. Sophomore first baseman Katie Kocman (Littleton, Colo./Columbine) led the way as she finished 2-for-4 with a home run, three RBI and two runs. Junior shortstop Melissa Stratton (Aurora, Colo./Smoky Hill) and senior catcher Beth Skidmore (Littleton, Colo./Dakota Ridge) also drove in two runs apiece.

Sophomore Taylor Cayou (Lakewood, Colo./Green Mountain) worked four innings, allowing five runs (four earned) to earn the win (7-7).

In game two, scored four in the second, three more in the third and two in the fifth in a five inning win. CSM was limited to just two hits, both by Kocman, inclduing her second homer of the day.

CSM (18-19, 9-16 RMAC) will conclude the four-game series at UCCS with another doubleheader on Sunday. The first game is scheduled for 11:00 am.

-OREDIGGERS-

CSM SOFTBALL SPLITS DOUBLEHEADER WITH REGIS UNIVERSITY

GOLDEN, Colo. - The Colorado School of Mines softball team split a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference double header this afternoon at CSM softball field against Regis University.

CSM dropped the opener 6-1 but battled back to take the second game 10-2.

The Orediggers were led by Jennifer Newman (Lakewood, Colo./Green Mountain) who went 4-for-6 with one run and three runs batted in, while Melissa Stratton was 4-for-7 with two runs.

Pitcher Katie Kocman (Littleton, Colo./Columbine) improved to 10-8 as she pitched five inning allowing only six runs and struck out three.

The Orediggers (17-18, 8-15) will return to action on April 14-15 with games at CU-Colorado Springs.

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CSM SOFTBALL SPLITS DOUBLEHEADER WITH WESTERN NEW MEXICO

SILVER CITY, N.M. - The Colorado School of Mines softball team split a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference twinbill at Western New Mexico for the second straight day on Saturday afternoon.

Once again, CSM won the opener, 9-4, but dropped the nightcap, 3-1. In game one, CSM rallied from a 4-0 deficit with six runs in the fourth.

The Orediggers were led by junior shortstop Melissa Stratton (Aurora, Colo./Smoky Hill) who went 4-for-5 with two runs, while sophomore first baseman Katie Kocman (Littleton, Colo./Columbine) was 3-for-5 with three runs batted in. Freshman rightfielder Jackye Lagen (Bellingham, Wash./Sehome) finished 4-for-4 with two RBI and a run.

Sophomore Taylor Cayou (Lakewood, Colo./Green Mountain) improved to 6-6 as she fired a complete game six hitter and fanned four.

Kocman finished game two 2-for-3 at the plate as CSM was limited to six hits.

The Orediggers (16-17, 7-14 RMAC) will return to action on Tuesday afternoon when they host Regis at 2:00 pm for an RMAC doubleheader.

-OREDIGGERS-

CSM SOFTBALL SPLITS DOUBLEHEADER WITH WESTERN NEW MEXICO

SILVER CITY, N.M. - The Colorado School of Mines softball team opened up a four game series at Western New Mexico with a doubleheader split in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action Friday afternoon.

CSM won the opener, 10-5, but fell in game two, 5-3.

Junior shortstop Melissa Stratton (Aurora, Colo./Smoky Hill) went a combined 4-for-8 with an RBI and a run. Senior third baseman Brianne Brennan (Grand Junction, Colo./Central) and sophomore first baseman Katie Kocman (Littleton, Colo./Columbine) each drove in three runs in the nightcap as both hit home runs.

Kocman also picked up the win in game two with three innings of relief.

CSM (15-16, 6-13 RMAC) will conclude its series with WNMU on Saturday with another doubleheader. First pitch is slated for 11:00 am.

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CSM SOFTBALL FALLS TWICE AT REGIS

DENVER, Colo. - The Colorado School of Mines softball team dropped a pair of games to Regis in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action at Regis Field on Wednesday afternoon.

The Rangers scored six runs in the fifth inning to win game one, 9-1, and then took the nightcap, 5-2.

Sophomore second baseman Sara Eickelman (Pueblo, Colo./Pueblo East) led CSM at the plate as she went a combined 3-for-4 with an RBI. Freshman rightfielder Jackye Lagen (Bellingham, Wash./Sehome) drove in both runs in game two with her third homer of the year. That came in the seventh inning to ruin the Ranger shutout bid.

CSM will return to action on Friday afternoon when it travels to Western New Mexico for a doubleheader. First pitch is slated for 12:00 pm.

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CSM SOFTBALL WINS TWO OF THREE AGAINST ADAMS STATE

GOLDEN, Colo. - The Colorado School of Mines softball team won two out of the three games played this afternoon agaisnt The Adams State Grizzlies.

Pitcher Katie Kocman came away with two wins on the three game series. She led her team to an 11-1 victory in the second game and a 8-0 win in the third game. Mines lost the first game to the Grizzlies 4-2.

Kocman also swung the bat well as she went three for three at bat in the first game, with one RBI. Margie Cone led Mines in the third game, hitting in three runs and going a perfect three for three at bat.

With the two wins, Mines improved to 14-13 overall and 5-10 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.

Mines will return to action Wednesday, March 28 with two games starting at 1:00 pm at Regis University.

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CSM SOFTBALL TAKES TWO FROM FORT HAYS STATE

GOLDEN, Colo. - The Colorado School of Mines softball team went 2-0 this afternoon as they scored a victory over The Fort Hays State University Tigers.

The Orediggers won two out of two games, beating the Tigers 5-4 and then 10-1.

Pitcher Taylor Cayou got the victory the first game, allowing 10 hits and four runs while striking out six batters and walking none. Katie Kocman pitched the second game, where she improved to 6-5 and allowed only six hits and one run.

Beth Skidmore went 5-for-7 on the day swinging the bat, while hitting four batters in and scoring twice herself.

Mines will return to action with home games on Saturday and Sunday. Both days will be double headers. Games will start at 12:00 pm Saturday and 11:00 am Sunday.

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CSM SOFTBALL SPLITS FOUR GAMES AT FORT LEWIS

DURANGO, Colo. - The Colorado School of Mines softball team split a four game Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference series at Fort Lewis over the weekend.

FLC won Saturday's opener, 9-0, before the Orediggers came back to win the nightcap, 4-3. The Skyhawks took Sunday's first game, 4-2, while CSM won the series finale, 4-3.

Junior shortstop Melissa Stratton (Aurora, Colo./Smoky Hill) led CSM at the plate as she hit .467 (7-15) with two runs batted in. Freshman rightfielder Jackye Lagen (Bellingham, Wash./Sehome) drove in a team-best three runs on the weekend.

Sophomore Katie Kocman (Littleton, Colo./Columbine) was sensational in her two appearances on the mound as she was 2-0 with a 1.80 earned run average. In 15 innings of work, she allowed 15 hits, six runs (three earned) and fanned seven.

CSM (10-12, 3-9 RMAC) will return to action on Thursday when it hosts Fort Hays State for a nonconference doubleheader. First pitch is slated for 1:00 pm.

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CSM SOFTBALL DROPS TWO TO CSU-PUEBLO

GOLDEN, Colo. - The Colorado School of Mines softball team dropped two games this afternoon at CSM Softball Field. CSU-Pueblo won the opener in nine innings, 7-6, and won the nightcap, 5-2.

The Orediggers had a 6-4 lead going into the seventh inning of the first game. But the Thunderwolves scored two unanswered runs to tie the game at 6-6 and send it into extra innings. Brittany Barnes then hit an RBI double in the ninth for the game-winning hit.

The second game also went to the CSU-Pueblo as they won 5-2.

Sara Eickelman swung the bat well for the Orediggers as she ended the day with four hits, one triple and an RBI.

The Orediggers will now travel to Tucson where they will play in the Tucson Invitational.

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CSM SOFTBALL DROPS TWO TO CSU-PUEBLO

GOLDEN, Colo. - The Colorado School of Mines softball team dropped two games Saturday afternoon to the CSU-Thunderwolves. CSU-Pueblo won the opener, 6-5, and took the nightcap, 13-5.

With the two losses Mines drops to 3-5 overall and 1-5 in conference play. Mines lost game one by only one run. Going into the bottom of the seventh down three, Mines hit back to back homers to make the game 6-5. The Orediggers were unable to find another run, ending the game 6-5. Breanne Brennan and Jackye Lagen were the Orediggers to hit it out of the park.

In game two, Mines was led by Kaleigh Star who went three for three with two runs and one RBI.

Mines will finish their four game series against The Thunderwolves tomorrow with a double header starting at 11:00 am.

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CSM SOFTBALL TAKES ONE OF THREE FROM NEBRASKA-KEARNEY

GOLDEN, Colo. - The Colorado School of Mines softball team took one of three games from Nebraska-Kearney in a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference tripleheader on Monday afternoon at CSM Field.

UNK (5-3, 5-3 RMAC) won game one, 14-9, and game two, 9-1 (five innings), before the Orediggers came back to win the series finale, 5-1.

CSM sophomore Katie Kocman (Littleton, Colo./Columbine) picked up the win for the Orediggers as she fired a complete game, four hitter in the nightcap. She improved to 2-1.

Senior catcher Beth Skidmore (Littleton, Colo./Dakota Ridge) had a good day offensively as she was 6-for-10 with two runs scored and three runs batted in. All nine starters had at least one hit in the finale.

UNK broke open the first game with 10 runs in the fourth inning and then raced out to a 6-0 lead after three innings in game two. Skye Wakefield drove in four in the opener, while Molly Langerak and Danya Cole each drove in three.

CSM (3-3, 1-3 RMAC) will return to action on Saturday when it hosts CSU-Pueblo for a doubleheader beginning at 12:00 pm.

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CSM SOFTBALL FALLS TO NEBRASKA-KEARNEY, 3-0

GOLDEN, Colo. - The Colorado School of Mines softball team dropped its 2007 conference opener, 3-0, to Nebraska-Kearney in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action Sunday afternoon at CSM Field.

UNK (3-2, 1-0 RMAC) took a 2-0 lead in the first on an RBI double by Molly Langerak and a sacrifice fly from Ashley Guyle. The Lopers added another insurance run in the seventh an a bloop single from Alissa Larsen.

CSM (2-1, 0-1 RMAC) sophomore pitcher Katie Kocman (Littleton, Colo./Columbine) took the loss and fell to 0-1. She went the distance, allowing just four hits and three runs (two earned), while fanning four.

Amanda Bell picked up the win for the Lopers and improved to 3-0. She also fired a complete game, allowing four hits and striking out five.

The teams will conclude their four game series on Monday with a tripleheader. The first game is slated for 11:00 am at CSM Field.

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CSM SOFTBALL SWEEPS COLORADO COLLEGE TO OPEN SEASON

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - After having its first 10 games of the 2007 season cancelled due to weather, the Colorado School of Mines softball team opened the season with a doubleheader sweep of Colorado College on Sunday afternoon.

CSM won the opener, 30-0, and came back to win the nightcap, 6-0, as sophomore pitcher Taylor Cayou (Lakewood, Colo./Green Mountain) fired a perfect game.

Cayou led the Orediggers to the sweep by pitching seven perfect innings. She didn't walk a batter and struck out eight. She was aided by CSM scoring three runs in the third inning and three more in the seventh. Cayou retired seven Tigers via groundballs and six by flyouts and the Oredigger defense did not commit an error.

In the opener, CSM scored 11 runs in the second inning to cruise to the win. Freshman centerfielder Kaleigh Starr (Lakewood, Colo./Bear Creek) had a big game as she finished 5-for-6 with five runs and six runs batted in. All nine CSM starters recorded at least one hit, scored at least two times and drove in at least one run.

Freshman rightfielder Jackye Lagen (Bellingham, Wash./Sehome) was 4-for-6 with four runs and four RBI. Sophomore Katie Kocman (Littleton, Colo./Columbine) picked up the win as she went four innings, allowing just one hit.

The Orediggers will return to action next weekend when they host Nebraska-Kearney for a four-game series at CSM Field. The first two games are slated for Saturday at 12:00 pm.

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