AZUSA, CA- Colorado Christian continued play at the CUI Kickoff Classic with a pair of games at Cougar Softball Complex against Cal State East Bay and Cal State San Marcos on Saturday. Led by excellent pitching and clutch hitting, CCU claimed a pair of thrilling extra inning victories over the Pioneers and #7 Cougars from San Marcos. 

GAME ONE
The first matchup of the day was a pitching battle, as neither team could get their offenses going against their opponent in the circle. Junior transfer Emma Duncan dazzled in the circle, going 8 innings for the win with 4 strikeouts and just four hits allowed. 

With extra innings needed and a 0-0 tie after seven, the offense for CCU finally found their groove in the eighth. Logan Menzies doubled home Mia Stankiewicz, and a CSEB error allowed Menzies to score another run. Kayla Middleton capped the scoring with a sacrifice fly to make it 3-0. Duncan closed out the victory in the eighth to finish the 3-0 victory for the Cougars. 

GAME TWO
CCU took on the #7 team in the nation in game two, facing off with the Cougars from Cal State San Marcos. The Cougars vs. Cougars matchup did not disappoint, as the teams battled deep into extra innings. 

Colorado Christian struck first, as Kayla Middleton blasted a two-run homer in the fourth. Kenzie Middleton then smacked an RBI single in the fight for a 3-0 lead, and Kayla continued her excellent game with an RBI double in the fifth. CSSM struck back, scoring three in the fifth and sending it to extra innings in the seventh at 4-4. 

After an uneventful eighth, San Marcos looked poised to end the game in the bottom of the ninth as they loaded the bases with no outs. Freshman Hanna Espinoza stepped up massively, getting out of the jam with a huge strikeout and a pair of fielder's choices induced. 

CSSM regretted not scoring moments later, as a Cheyenne Stark double scored Menzies in the 10th, and Kenzie Middleton singled home another run for a 6-4 advantage. Kayla Middleton broke the game wide open, notching her third and fourth RBI of the game with another two-run shot to left field. With an 8-4 lead in hand, CCU closed out the victory in the bottom of the 10th as Espinoza retired the side to claim the victory. 

It was a gritty performance from Colorado Christian as they took down #7 San Marcos. Four pitchers saw action, with Kaila Eastburn getting the start and going 5 innings with 2 runs allowed. Rawnie Weststrate got her first action as a Cougar, and freshman Elyse McMullin was strong with three innings of work on just one run. Espinoza picked up her first collegiate win with two shutout innings and the clutch escape from the bases loaded jam. Kayla Middleton was clinical, ripping a pair of two-run blasts for a four RBI game when her team needed her most. 

Colorado Christian will look to go perfect at the Concordia Kickoff Classic on January 4 as they face off with Hawaii Pacific University at the Orange County Great Park at 11:30 p.m. MST.