LAS VEGAS, NM- The Cougars closed the 2024 season on Saturday as they took on New Mexico Highlands in a doubleheader. After being blanked 11-0 in the first contest of the day, CCU staged a furious final inning rally that fell just short in a 9-8 defeat. 

GAME ONE 
In the first contest of the day, the Cowboys took a lead in the third and continued to pull away in the later innings of the contest. New Mexico Highlands managed to plate 11 runs throughout the game as they shut down CCU for an 11-0 victory. 

Carson Summerfield was strong in relief, going two innings with no runs allowed. Luke Thompson and William Brassil paced the offense with two hits apiece.

GAME TWO
NMHU jumped ahead 2-0 in the first, but Caden Walton provided the response with a two-run single for the tie in the second. The hosts tacked on five unanswered before Tucker Willingham brought a run back with an RBI single. One more run from the Cowboys sent the teams to the final inning with CCU needing a rally trailing 8-3. 

A rally is exactly what the Cougars offense provided, starting with an RBI single from Jonny Tewinkle. Aaron Morgan singled in another run to cut the gap to 8-5 with two runners on. Next up came Sawyer Shepherd, and he provided a jolt with a huge three-run homer as CCU came back for five runs to tie the game at 8-8. Unfortunately, the momentum did not stay with the visitors as NMHU rallied with a walkoff single to claim the victory 9-8. 

Justin Estrada got the start on the mound, going four innings with five strikeouts. Shepherd provided the offense needed to rally for the tie with his three-run shot, while Walton notched a pair of RBI. 

Colorado Christian closed the 2024 season with an overall record of 8-41 and a mark of 6-26 in the RMAC. With some talented players on the roster and more depth coming in, CCU is primed to compete for a spot in the RMAC tournament in 2025.