LAKEWOOD, CO- Colorado Christian closed their regular season on Friday as they hosted MSU Denver and celebrated senior day at All Star Park. After falling in the second game of the series that was suspended until this morning, CCU bounced back for a win before dropping the final game of the series. After the game, seniors Sydney Jones and Kayla and Kenzie Middleton were honored in their final regular season game at home.  

GAME ONE
The first game of the day started in the top of the fourth with the game tied at 1-1 after it was suspended due to lightning yesterday. A day ago, CCU took the lead on a first inning sac fly from Kenzie. The RBI pushed Kenzie's career total to 219, setting the all-time program record for runs batted in. A run scored by the Roadrunners left the game tied at one with runners at the corner in the fourth. 

When play resumed Friday, MSU Denver took the lead on a sacrifice fly before CCU responded. Elyse McMullin smacked an RBI double, and Cheyenne Stark followed with a double of her own to give CCU the 3-2 lead. Kayla closed the fourth inning with an RBI for a 4-2 advantage. 

Leah Garcia scored on a passed ball, and things looked to be under control for the Cougars. However, a three-run homer in the sixth brought the visitors level, and they took the late lead in the seventh 6-5. CCU tried to rally but could not push another run across as they saw their 25 game win streak come to a close. 

 GAME TWO
The teams began the regularly scheduled doubleheader a little before 11am, and the Roadrunners continued the offense they found in the first contest of the morning with three runs in the second. But as they have done all season, the Cougars quickly clawed back. Samaria Roope picked up a sacrifice fly followed by an RBI single from Kayla. 

After the Roadrunners took a 4-2 lead, Stark tied things up with a huge two-run blast in the third. Roope continued the scoring with an RBI single, and a costly error allowed two more runs to score. A passed ball brought home another run as the score stood at 8-4. Garcia scored on a wild pitch later in the game as CCU staved off a rally from the visitors for a 9-7 victory.

Kaila Easburn notched her 16th win with 2.2 innings pitched. Carson Griggs picked up the save with three innings of scoreless ball, while Stark and Roope paced the offense with two RBI apiece. 

GAME THREE
The final game of the series saw the Roadrunners score single runs in the first, second and third innings to take a 3-0 lead. The offense could not find their rhythm for the Cougars, as they were shutout for only the second time this season in a 3-0 setback.

With the loss, the chances for the Cougars to host the RMAC Tournament took a major hit. Colorado Mesa still has two games against CSU Pueblo tomorrow, and if they win one they will be the hosts of the 2024 RMAC Tournament. A pair of wins from the Thunderwolves would give CCU the right to host as they took three of four from the Mavericks earlier in the year. The RMAC Tournament is up next for CCU, and they will take place May 1-4 if they are in Lakewood and May 2-4 if hosted in Grand Junction.