What an exciting week for CCU Athletics!! An RMAC Softball Championship title, a sweep and senior weekend for baseball, and more incredible times from track. We began the week at All Star Park hosting the RMAC Softball Championships May 4-6th. Softball went undefeated in the tournament and took the title for the second year in a row! They will now compete at Regionals in Canyon Texas, with their first game on Thursday at 5pm MST. To top it off, Larry Hays received RMAC Coach of the Year, Kenzie Middleton received RMAC  Player of the Year, and Kali Crandall received RMAC Pitcher of the Year! Baseball also had an incredible weekend with a sweep against NMHU and a celebration of the seniors as we hosted at Metro. Baseball will now compete in the RMAC tournament down in Grand Junction with their first game on Wednesday, at 7pm. Last but not least, the track team traveled down to Pueblo again with some great finishes from Alex Vance, Trent Cochran, Mateo Luna, and Zanzie Demco. Next up will be Nationals, which will also be located in Pueblo, Colorado May 25-27th. Such an exciting time for our Cougars with amazing results that just keep coming! 

Softball Recap

5/4 LAKEWOOD, CO- The Cougars kicked off day one of the RMAC Tournament hosted at All Star Park with a matchup against rival Colorado Mesa. Led by yet another strong pitching performance and just enough offense, Colorado Christian came away with the 2-0 victory to send them into the winner's bracket for day two.

It appeared as if the offense was about to explode for CCU when Sami Edwards went deep in her first at bat of the game from the leadoff position. However, from there the offense slowed down a lot, as Kali Crandall and Marisa Nehm battled it out. It was quick paced with many 1,2,3 innings secured by both pitchers. In the sixth, the Cougars tacked on an insurance run, as Camryn Quilling crossed the plate on a CMU error. With the score at 2-0 heading into the final inning, a pair of hit batters loaded the bases for the Mavericks. Crandall remained steady as she has been all year, taking a grounder towards the circle and firing it home to Kenzie Middleton for one out before the catcher threw a dart down the first base line for a game-ending double play.

Crandall was her usual dominant self, notching win number 28 on the year with 6 strikeouts and just three hits allowed. Edwards provided all the offense her team would need with her game- opening home run.

With one win in hand, the Cougars will look to make it two as they take on cross town foe MSU Denver at 2 p.m. MST on May 5.

5/5 LAKEWOOD, CO- On a wild day of softball at All Star Park, the Cougars came out on top in walkoff fashion over MSU Denver as they advanced to the championship with one more win needed to take the RMAC Title.

In a fierce battle, the Roadrunners got off to a hot start with a solo homer in the second. The game went all the way to the fifth before CCU broke through, taking advantage of an error as Leah Garcia swam around the catchers' tag to even the score. In the sixth, the Cougars took the lead on a monster smash from Logan Menzies that sent the score to 3-1. 

MSU Denver would not go down without a fight, as a three-run homer in the seventh put them in front 4-3. A sacrifice fly made it 5-3 as the top seeded Cougars were on the ropes. Just like they have done all season, they proved they were the best team in the conference, starting with a Kenzie Middleton sacrifice fly to close the gap to one run. A wild pitch then allowed Sami Edwards to score and set the table for Savannah Tourville. With the game tied, the graduate roped a double to left center as the ballpark exploded in jubilant cheers on the walkoff 6-5 victory.

Abrie Castillo took the win as she entered and was able to hold the Roadrunners to just one run. Garcia and Menzies turned the momentum before Tourville came through for her third walkoff hit in the last two weeks. 

With two RMAC Tournament wins, Colorado Christian now sits one win away from a second consecutive title. They await the winner of MSU Denver vs Colorado Mesa, and will play at 1:30 p.m. with a 4 p.m. game time slotted if necessary.

5/6 LAKEWOOD, CO- After an exciting three days of the RMAC tournament at All Star Park, a Champion has been crowned. For the second straight year, Colorado Christian has claimed the title after an unbeaten run through the tourney.

Taking on Colorado Mesa with two wins already in hand, the Cougars needed just one win to claim their second consecutive RMC Tournament Title. They trailed early 1-0, but they tied it up in the third on a Mavericks fielders' choice. With the bases loaded, Logan Menzies blasted the hit that changed the momentum, uncorking a grand slam to give her team the lead 5-1.
 

With the lead in hand, a CMU solo homer did not hurt the Cougars, as they responded with an RBI single from Kenzie Middleton. Taylor Olsen then singled in another run as the lead stretched to 7-2. A sixth inning single from CMU cut it to 7-3, but Savannah Tourville put the icing on the cake with a solo shot in the bottom of the sixth. With one out needed to secure the title, Kenzie Middleton made an incredible diving grab behind the plate to clinch the championship.

It was a perfect run to the title as CCU took down Colorado Mesa on day one of competition, MSU Denver on day two, and CMU again on day 3. Logan Menzies was named the Tournament MVP after she launched a pair of homers including the grand slam in the title game. Kali Crandall, Leah Garcia, Savannah Tourville and Sami Edwards made the All-Tournament Team for their efforts during the three days of play.

After never having won an RMAC Tournament Title, the Cougars have now won two straight as they have built themselves into a powerhouse in the RMAC. 

As the winners of the RMAC Tournament, the Cougars have received an automatic bid to the NCAA Regionals May 11-13. Stay tuned to ccucougars.com for updates on the location of the NCAA South Central Regionals and the Cougar's game times.

Baseball Recap 

5/5 DENVER, CO – The Colorado Christian University Cougars hosted the Cowboys of New Mexico Highlands at MSU Denver on Friday afternoon, to play their first double-header of the four-game series. After a nine then seven inning game, CCU added two more wins to their record.

GAME ONE

Starting off the series with strong offensive efforts from both sides and a high scoring game, the Cougars took off to score 19 and take the win by 8. The game started off back and forth, and at the end of three innings CCU was up 6-5. The Cowboys had their first scoreless inning in the fourth, but the Cougars could not be stopped. Colorado Christian went off to score 12 runs on 10 hits, giving them a comfortable lead at 18-5. CCU tallied on one more run in the bottom of the seventh and held onto the lead to the end.

The impressive stats were spread throughout the lineup. Luke Thompson led in total hits with 4, followed by Gabe Ramos, Jordan Medina, Sawyer Shepherd, Caden Walton, and Frankie Shearn who all had 3 to their name. Taking his first win on the mound after pitching five innings was Harrison Nation.

GAME TWO

The second game of the day saw the two teams slowing down from behind the plate, but the Cougars stepping up when needed. New Mexico Highlands scored a pair of runs in the first but was unable to score again. CCU tallied 1 run in the bottom of the first and another in the bottom of the fifth to tie up the game. With Colorado Christian up to bat in the bottom of the sixth and two outs on the board, the team rallied back to score 4 more runs to take the game. Caden Walton was the first to score in the inning after he walked, advanced on an Aaron Morgan single, then scored after Frankie Shearn singled. The bases were loaded after Luke Thompson walked, and Morgan scored as Gabe Ramos was hit by pitch. Jordan Medina then brought home Shearn and Thompson on a double to close out the scoring on the day. It was an impressive showing on the mound from Jake Gimbel who pitched all seven innings for CCU and tallied 8 strikeouts.

The pair of wins puts the Cougars at 12-18 in RMAC play, and their final regular season games will begin on Saturday with another double-header against NMHU at 4pm and 7pm at the Assembly Athletic Conference.

5/6 DENVER, CO – It was a celebratory Saturday for the Cougars as they clinched a spot in the RMAC tournament, celebrated their seniors, and won two more games in conference play. Colorado Christian took the sweep over New Mexico Highlands after another double-header with scores of 13-5 and 10-6.

GAME ONE

The third game of the series was another exciting matchup, seeing the teams battle it out on both sides. Colorado Christian was the first on the board after scoring three in the bottom of the first. The Cougars had two outs, but a pair of walks from Gabe Ramos and Jordan Medina put the team in scoring position. Major Maydon then singled to bring home Ramos, and was followed by Boedy Flores with a double to score both Medina and Maydon. The Cowboys responded with 3 runs of their own in the top of the second to tie up the game. CCU scored again in the bottom of the third after back-to-back doubles from Gabe Ramos and Jordan Medina, putting them ahead 4-3. Another single run came in the bottom of the fourth thanks to a homerun from Aaron Morgan. The final single run inning for the Cougars was the fifth after Jordan Medina singled, then made it home on a Sawyer Shepherd double. The next couple innings were quiet until the Cowboys scored a pair of runs in the top of the eighth to shorten the difference to 1. Colorado Christian was quick to respond, scoring 7 in the bottom of the inning to seal the victory. The bases were loaded after Boedy Flores was hit by pitch, and both Sawyer Shepherd and Aaron Morgan walked. All the runners then advanced on a wild pitch to start the scoring spree. Caden Walton then grounded out but brought home Shepherd. Frankie Shearn walked, and Morgan scored on a wild pitch. Luke Thompson then reached after being hit by pitch, and Jordan Medina walked to load the bases once more. Major Maydon then stepped up and had a 3 RBI double, then scored on an error to finish out the spree. Robby Caro took the win on the mound after 8 strikeouts and 5 innings pitched.

GAME TWO

 Carrying their momentum over from the first game, the Cougars were able to pull away and take the lead early on in their final regular season game. The first run came after Jordan Medina singled, advanced to third on a single from Sawyer Shepherd, then scored on a single from Boedy Flores. Caden Walton doubled to bring home Shepherd, then scored himself after Ross Panlasigui singled to finish the inning and make the score 3-0. The third inning saw CCU tallying 4 more runs, putting them ahead 7-0. Frankie Shearn led with a single, then scored on a double from Dorian Pacheco. Pacheco made it home after Gabe Ramos singled, then Jordan Medina homered to close it out. The next runs for Colorado Christian came in the fifth as they scored 2. Sawyer Shepherd was the first to score after he doubled, advanced to third on a single from Boedy Flores, then crossed home thanks to a double from Russell Cruz. Flores then closed it out after a sac fly from Ross Panlasigui. New Mexico Highlands then found their rhythm and scored 4 in the sixth, shotening the Cougar lead to 5. CCU notched in one more run in the bottom of the inning after Ludwig singled, then was brought home on a double from Shepherd. The Cowboys scored 2 more in the final inning but was unable to overcome the difference that CCU secured. Saxton Sorenson pitched 6.1 innings and tallied 10 strikeouts to take the win.

The pressure was on for the Cougars coming into the series, as they needed the sweep to ensure their spot in the conference tournament - making the wins and senior day that much sweeter. Colorado Christian finished the regular season 18-30-1 overall, and 14-18 in conference play. The schedule for the RMAC tournament is still being determined, but will begin on Wednesday, May 10th at 11am.

Track and Field Recap 

PUEBLO, CO- The Cougars headed down south on Saturday to take part in the CSU Pueblo Last Chance Invite to try and post more NCAA qualifying times before the approaching National Championships. They saw a plethora of strong runs as part of a successful weekend.

On the women's side, Hannah George ran the 100m, posting a 12.15 converted to 12.18 at altitude for a personal best. Zanzie Demco ran a 2:14.94 in the 800m, and Michell Kuipers posted a 2:24.09 in the event. Elizabeth Mattson ran the 10,000m, flying to a mark of 37:43.89 to take the race. 

For the men, Tyler Bradley ran the 200m, blazing to a time of 21.2 as he showed he is one of the fastest sprinters the Cougars have ever had. The 1500m saw many COugars run, and Alexander Vance led the pack. Vance ran his way to a 3:44, while Trent Cochran posted a 3:45 as they are now 8th and 16th in DII respectively. Hudson Majeski ran a 3:53 while Mateo Luna posted a 3:55. Isaac Roberts ran a 4:13, followed by Chase Bracher with a 4:13. 

The Cougars will now prepare for Nationals as several athletes sit in great positions to make an appearance. The National meet will take place May 25-27 at CSU Pueblo.

Next Up: Stay tune on our website to see all that the Cougars are up to! Baseball and softball will be competing this week as well as both golf teams! The women's team is wrapping up Regionals in Dallas, Texas right now, so make sure to follow along! Men's golf will begin Regionals on Thursday, May 11th in California.