LAKEWOOD, CO- The Cougars hosted their home opener on Thursday afternoon as they welcomed St. Edward's to All Star Park. The Hilltoppers got a taste of CCU softball as the hosts ran away with the game to claim an 8-0 run-rule victory. 

The wind was blowing as the teams began on a beautiful day for softball in Lakewood, and to start neither team could get their offenses going. Kaila Eastburn pitched the entire game and was stellar in her home debut with CCU. 

The offense found some life in the fourth inning as Eastburn flew out to center field to nab an RBI on a sacrifice fly to score Kayla Middleton. The fifth saw more scoring, as Kenzie Middleton singled home a run to extend the lead. Kayla Middleton followed with an RBI single of her own, and Mia Stankiewicz put a ball in play that saw Kenzie Middleton race from second all the way home to make it 4-0. 

The sixth was the final blow, as Logan Menzies unloaded on a ball to send it over the left center field wall for a two-run homer. With two runners on, Cheyenne Stark pinch hit and came through in the clutch, singling home the final two runs for the 8-0 victory. 

Eastburn was strong as she shut out the Hilltoppers with just two hits allowed. Stark and Menzies led the final push as they each notched a pair of RBI in the sixth and final inning of the game. 

CCU is back in action at All Star Park on February 9 as they host St. Mary's (TX) for a doubleheader at 12 and 2 p.m. MST.