DENVER, Colo. – The Cowgirls lost a 2-1 heartbreaker in game one before a 13-3 loss (six innings) in game two and a 10-3 loss in game three as New Mexico Highlands softball (1-9, 0-3 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) lost a trio to Regis (8-6, 3-0 RMAC) Friday afternoon (Feb. 20).
In game one, the Cowgirls loaded the bases with no outs in the top of the first but only scored on sophomore
Katelyn Bates' RBI groundout. The Rangers tied it up in the bottom of the inning. With two out, Carlie Sexton singled and scored on Nicole Aviles' double. It was a two out rally again in the bottom of the sixth for Regis when a walk, stolen base and single by Delaney McGinn scored what proved to be the winning run.
The Cowgirls had the tying run on second with one out in the top of the seventh, but two groundouts ended the game.
Junior
Ka'uilani Kamai and freshman
Destiny Navarro both had a pair of hits to lead Highlands. Senior
Jessica Brink fell to 0-4, allowing five hits and two runs with five strikeouts in six innings or work. The Rangers only had five hits on the day, led by McGinn's two. Aviles went the distance for the Rangers in game one, allowing eight hits and a single run with five strikeouts to improve to 6-3 on the year.
In game two, senior
Jacki Wood had an RBI groundout in the fourth, Kamai hit her team-leading third home run of the season in the fifth and freshman
Megan Thursby added an RBI single in the sixth. However, Regis exploded for eight hits and seven runs in the third inning and a grand slam in the bottom of the sixth for the run ruled game win. In the third, Nicole Hull led off with a solo shot, Kaci McClure followed with a double and Emily John added a two run home run to jumpstart the home team's offense.
McGinn ended the game with a grand slam for Regis in the bottom of the sixth.
The Cowgirls managed six hits in the game, but no player had more than one. Wood took the loss in the circle for Highlands, allowing seven hits and six runs in 2.2 innings of work. Nicole Hall had the complete game win for Regis, allowing three runs on six hits for the complete game win.
The third game saw the Cowgirls jump up 3-0, but Regis scored 10 unanswered to complete the sweep. With one out in the first for Highlands, Kamai walked and scored on junior
Jacquelyn Solis' home run. Navarro followed with a double and scored on junior
Ashton Borunda's single for the lone Cowgirls runs.
Brink took the loss in the circle for the Cowgirls, allowing four hits and three runs in relief. Freshman
Michelle Brincefield threw the final three innings, allowing seven hits and four runs. Taylor Wilcox went 3-for-4 with a home run, three RBIs and a run scored to lead Regis. Aviles let up three runs on six hits for her second complete game win of the day, improving to 7-3.
The Cowgirls return to action next Saturday (Feb. 28) when they open home play by hosting Fort Lewis and Colorado Christian in a pod. Saturday's action is set to begin at 11 a.m.
