LAKEWOOD, CO- The Cougars returned home after a pair of road conference series to take on Colorado Mesa in a doubleheader on Saturday at All Star Park. CCU continued their excellent start to the season, coming back to win in walkoff fashion in the first contest 8-7 before erupting for a run-rule victory in game two 16-6. 

GAME ONE
It was a perfect day for softball as the first contest began, and it was the visiting Mavericks who jumped ahead early. They struck first in the third before scoring four in the fourth for a 5-0 lead. Another homer in the fifth made it 6-0 as things looked bleak for the Cougars. 

However, the home team refused to go down without a fight, starting with a two-run homer from Kenzie Middleton in the fifth. Kaila Eastburn and Logan Menzies then singled in a pair more before Samaria Roope notched an RBI groundout to make the game 6-5 after five innings. 

A run in the seventh from the Mavericks set up a 7-5 game heading into the final at bats for the Cougars. Eastburn began the inning with a walk, and Sami Edwards singled to get the inning started strong. A pair of strikeouts made the comeback look like it may not happen, but Mia Stankiewicz walked to load the bases and create a tense situation. Camryn Quilling picked up a huge RBI as she was hit by a pitch to make it 7-6. Down to the last out, Kenzie stepped up to the plate and delivered like she has her whole time at CCU, lining a single into left field to plate two runs for the walkoff 8-7 victory. 

Eastburn started in the circle and went five innings with five strikeouts. Hanna Espinoza came in for the final two innings, picking up the win with just one run allowed as she made it possible for her team to claim the thrilling victory. Middleton led the offense with four RBI including the timely single to win the game. 

GAME TWO
Game two took on a different complexion, but CMU grabbed a quick 3-0 lead on a first inning homer. Eastburn responded with a two-run shot of her own, and Quilling doubled home two more to make it 4-3 in the second. Quilling made it home on an error, but in the third Colorado Mesa tied things at five with a single. 

From there, the offense absolutely erupted, starting with an RBI single from Roope. A fielder's choice brought in another run, and after an error loaded the bases, Kenzie made sure to make the Mavericks pay as she uncorked a massive grand slam to make it 11-5. The onslaught continued as Menzies ripped a three-run bomb of her own, and Middleton capped an incredible day with another homer to make it 16-5. A run in the fifth from the Mavericks was not enough as the Cougars claimed a 16-6 run-rule victory for the doubleheader sweep. 

Emma Duncan improved to 10-0 in the circle, picking up the complete game victory. Kenzie had another fantastic day, tallying 6 RBI on a pair of homers followed by Menzies with three. 

The Cougars will close their series with Colorado Mesa on March 3 with a doubleheader at All Star Park with first pitch set for 11 a.m. MST.