LAKEWOOD, CO- The Cougars hosted their first games of the year on Saturday at All Star Park, opening conference play against Chadron State. The day was festive throughout, as CCU celebrated last years' RMAC championship with a ring ceremony between the first and second games. Everyone went home with a smile, as Colorado Christian showed they are a threat to win the conference again with two shutout victories on the day.

GAME ONE
The first contest was dominated by the home team, as they scored in the second inning and never trailed again. Kayla Middleton picked up the games' first RBI with a single to score Savannah Tourville. In the third, a pair of fielders' choices scored two more to make it 3-0. The fifth and sixth saw CCU blow the game wide open, starting with an RBI double from Tourville. Leah Garcia then jumped on a pitch and sent it sailing over the fence for a two-run shot to make it 6-0. Logan Menzies put the nail in the coffin, slamming a two-run homer in the sixth to walk-it-off and run rule the Eagles 8-0. 

Back-to-back RMAC pitcher of the week Kali Crandall was dominant yet again, twirling six shutout innings on just two hits allowed and six strikeouts to snag her fifth win of the season. Logan Menzies and Leah Garcia powered the offense with their home runs.

GAME TWO
In the days' second game, there was much less scoring involved and a pitchers duel was brewing early. Abrie Castillo took on Chadron States' Tori Haug and the two did not allow a run through the first four innings. The Cougars broke through in the fifth, as Kenzie Middleton tallied two RBI with a double to score Camryn Quilling and Miki Berg. A fielders' choice resulted in a third run of the inning scored by Middleton and the teams went to the sixth with CCU leading 3-0. Miki Berg launched a ball over the fence in center-field in the sixth, netting her second long ball of the year and putting her team ahead 4-0. Castillo closed things out in the final frame for a 4-0 victory. 

Castillo was dominant with a seven inning shutout victory, striking out eight and allowing only one hit. Kenzie Middleton came through in the clutch, netting the first two runs of an eventual 4-0 victory.

With the second win on the day, head coach Larry Hays secured his 200th win all-time in softball, an impressive milestone in just six years coaching the sport. 

The Cougars close their series with Chadron State on February 19 with a doubleheader at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at All Star Park.