CANYON, TX- Colorado Christian opened play at the South Central Regionals at West Texas A&M against St. Mary's (TX) on Thursday. In a thrilling affair that went into extra innings, CCU came through when it mattered most to walk-off the Rattlers 3-2. 

The Cougars got on the board first, as Miki Berg blasted a solo homer over the left center wall for a second inning lead. An unfortunate error allowed STMU to level the game in the third, and from there a pitching duel developed. 

Kali Crandall was brilliant in the circle as she faced off against Catalina Cavazos. Both were strong throughout, as Cavazos left three Cougars on base and got out of the jam unscathed in the fifth. Neither pitcher relented, and the game ended up going into extra innings level at 1-1.

The Rattlers managed to plate a run with an RBI single in their half of the eighth, putting the pressure squarely on the Cougars. Just like they have shown all season long, the pressure did not get to them and they remained calm, cool and collected facing an opening game loss.

Two quick outs had CCU on the ropes, but Logan Menzies belted a double that hit the top of the left field wall to start the rally. Berg then came through in the clutch, lining a triple to right field as Menzies raced home to tie the game. With the winning run just 60 feet from home, Leah Garcia wasted no time as she lined a single on the first pitch she saw as the Colorado Christian dugout poured onto the field in jubilation. 

Crandall went the distance for win number 29 on the year, fanning 6 batters and allowing just two runs to keep her team in the game. Menzies, Berg and Garcia got the late offense going to cap a thrilling 3-2 victory for the Cougars.

Next up for CCU is a date with host West Texas A&M on May 12 at 11 a.m. MST as both teams won today and will compete in the winner's bracket.