GRAND JUNCTION, CO- Colorado Christian headed to Grand Junction for their final road series of the regular season at Colorado Mesa. After a narrow 2-1 victory in game one, CCU could not hold the lead in a 9-7 walkoff loss.
GAME ONE
From the start it was apparent a pitchers' duel was on hand. Kali Crandall faced off against the Mavericks' Hannah Sattler, and both pitchers were strong throughout. The first two innings saw both pitchers face 6 total batters as neither team got anything going. The Cougars had an opportunity in the third with two runners on with no outs, but they could not bring home anyone.
The shut down pitching continued all the way until the sixth inning, as Kenzie Middleton broke the scoreless tie with a solo homer to right center to lead off the inning. Savannah Tourville provided some insurance with an RBI single later in the inning to make it 2-0. A leadoff homer and triple from the hosts had CCU in danger in the seventh, but Crandall proceeded to strike the next batter out looking, induce a groundout that did not allow the runner at third to advance, and strike the final batter out swinging for a thrilling 2-1 victory.
Crandall dazzled throughout, striking out 10 batters with just three hits allowed. Middleton changed the momentum with her homer before Tourville provided the needed insurance for the one run win.
GAME TWO
The Mavericks jumped out in front early with a solo shot, but the Cougars quickly responded. Logan Menzies picked up an RBI groundout in the third, and Tourville singled home another run. Leah Garcia scored on an error in the fourth before Kenzie Middleton came home on a wild pitch. Middleton singled home yet another run in the fifth before Kayla Middleton extended the lead with a two RBI double to make it 7-2 as the two teams headed to the final inning. However, a furious rally from Colorado Mesa resulted in a 7 run inning and a walkoff homer to down the visitors 9-7.
Abrie Castillo pitched 6 innings, while Alexis Hamilton threw the final 0.2 innings of the game. Kayla Middleton powered the offense with two RBI in the game.
Colorado Christian will look to get back on track with a doubleheader April 23 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. MST at Colorado Mesa.