GRAND JUNCTION, CO – The Cougars went into the final day needing one win to clinch their first ever RMAC Tournament Title. They faced the previous night's opponent in Colorado Mesa who had beat Regis earlier in the day to advance to the final.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

GAME ONE:

The Cougars got out to an early lead after putting the Mavericks away 1-2-3 to start the game. Caitlin McCarthy drove home the first run on an RBI single. In the top of the second the Mavericks responded with two runs to take their first lead over the Cougars in the tournament. Piper Lujan and McCarthy responded in the bottom of the third with back to back RBI singles as the Cougars jumped back in front, 3-2.

The Mavericks jumped back in front in the top of the fourth and would not relinquish the lead, they scored three more in the sixth and then two more in the seventh inning as they pulled away and took game one 9-3.

COUGAR LEADERS: Piper Lujan had three hits for the Cougars and drive in two runs, Caitlin McCarthy and Sydney Reamer also had two hits.

Jennifer Romero got the start for the Cougars and pitching 4.2 innings, Sydney Rawlings pitched 2.1 innings in relief.

GAME TWO:

The Mavericks jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the second inning in the decisive, win or go home game. Colorado Mesa scored once more in the third inning and then twice in the sixth inning as they led 6-0 going into the final six outs for the Cougars.

Stephanie Day got the Cougars on the board with her first home run of the tournament, a solo shot to left field. The Mavericks scored three more times in the top of seventh giving the Cougars a 9-1 hill to climb.

The Cougars didn't go away quietly into the night however, as Samaria Roope started the inning off with a rocket of a solo home run, after singles by Sami Edwards and Kiah Parker, Kenzie Middleton came to bat with two runners on and brought everyone home with a three-run home run to left center field. The Cougars now within striking distance got a bit closer with a Piper Lujan solo home run which brought the score within two. The Cougars couldn't finish the game off as the Mavericks held on the win the RMAC tournament title.

 COUGAR LEADERS: Stephanie Day and Piper Lujan both had two hits, Kenzie Middleton had three RBI and Samaria Roope had two RBI. All four hit home runs.

Julie Katz, Samaria Roope, and Jennifer Romero all pitched for the Cougars, each gave up three runs.

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE

• Sydney Rawlings, Sydney Reamer, and Samaria Roope all made the All-Tournament team for their performances.
• The six runs the Cougars scored in inning seven of game two was the most in one inning by either team.

UP NEXT: The Cougars will wait and see if they receive a selection to the regional tournament.