Colorado Christian Softball got a big 8-3 win over Chadron State Saturday, but couldn't finish in the finale – a game they lost 5-4 to the Eagles. The split moves CCU to 9-15 on the year and 6-6 in RMAC play this season.
 
It was a big first inning that set the tone for the Cougars in the opener, as Christian took advantage of CSC miscues to gain a 5-0 lead on just one hit – a two-RBI Letty Valenzuela single.  A timely Sarah Rasmussen sacrifice fly earned Christian another in the second, and the senior's double in the sixth scored Gabby Vengoechea and Alexa Coffing. The result – eight runs for the CCU squad compared to just three from the home Eagles.
 
Limiting Chadron's offensive effort was senior pitcher Mariah Bledsoe, who picked up her second win of the year after allowing three runs on six hits.
 
Unfortunately, the opportunities wouldn't come as easily in the second game. Though Danielle Romine got the game's scoring going with a fourth-inning solo homerun, Chadron answered with a long ball of their own in the bottom of the frame, quickly neutralizing the CCU advantage. Three more homers would happen in the contest, another from Romine in the sixth and two more from the Eagles. Chadron's bomb in the fifth earned the home team three-RBI, helping tip the scales in the Eagles' favor.
 
Though she tossed nine strikeouts and gave up just two earned runs on six hits, CCU freshman Tana Feiner (6-5) was saddled with the loss.
 
Colorado Christian will return to the CSC field on Sunday, eager to get back the game they let slip away. The Cougars will square off against the Eagles in a doubleheader that begins at 11 am.