GRAND JUNCTION, CO -  The Cougars first day of games against the top team in the RMAC did not go quite as they had hoped as the top pitching staff in the conference limited the Cougars normally explosive offense.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

GAME ONE:

The Mavericks got out to an early lead in game one, scoring once in the first inning off a solo home run and then five times in the second as they chased the Cougars starter, Jennifer Romero out of the game.

The Mavericks scored again in the sixth inning to increase the lead to 7-0, the Cougars responded in the top of the seventh with a two run home run off the bat of Samaria Roope, her third of the season. The Cougars did not score again as the Mavericks took game one, 7-2.

COUGAR LEADERS: Caitlin McCarthy led the team with two hits, Roope had both of the Cougars RBI, as well as walk.

In the circle Sydney Rawlings pitched well in relief, with three strikeouts in 4.2 innings pitched.

GAME TWO:

The Mavericks scored early once again in game two, scoring once in the third inning on a sac fly and then in the fifth again on an RBI single. The Cougars pitching staff did a good job of limiting the best offense in the country to only two runs but the offense could not back up the pitching performance as the Mavericks shut the Cougars out for the first time this season.

COUGAR LEADERS: Stephanie Day and Caitlin McCarthy both had a hit for the Cougars.

In the circle Julie Katz pitched four innings and allowed one earned run on four hits, Samaria Roope pitched the final two innings, allowing two hits and no runs.

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE

• Two runs are tied for the lowest amount of runs the Mavericks have scored this season.
• The first time this season the Cougars have lost back to back games to the same opponent.

UP NEXT: The Cougars play two more tomorrow against Colorado Mesa at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.