Regis Falls in Season Opener Double Header to Fort Hays State

Denver, Colo.: The Ranger softball team opened their season going 0-2 on Saturday in a double header series against Fort Hays at home.

Regis (0-2, 0-2 RMAC) started off the first game grasping an early two run lead in the first inning. Sophomore Alisa Heronema started off the bottom of the first with a triple down the left field line before freshman Natalie Adami walked and stole second. Both runners scored on a single up the middle by freshman Maegan Cooley.

Going into the top of the seventh, Regis had a two run lead, 7-5, over the Tigers with just three outs to be played. Before those three outs were reached, Fort Hays scored a total of five runs on five hits. Adrian Mohr singled to the right side to start off the inning before Hallie McMillen and Cortney Brown each drew an out. From there, the Tigers went on a two out rallie started on a single to right field by Alex Eaton which scored Mohr. The last out came when Caleigh Duran lined one into the right center gap and was thrown out at second after trying to stretch her hit into a double.

Maureen McDaniel scored the Rangers lone seventh inning run on a solo homerun before falling to the Tigers 10-8.

To start off the second game, Fort Hays took the first lead in the top of the second. Regis tied the score at one in the bottom of the fourth when sophomore Emily Anderson homered to right center field. Fort Hays retaliated with two more runs in the top of the fifth before Regis answered back with one. After scoring one more in the bottom of the sixth, the game was tied at 3.  

Neither team could get a run across the plate for five more innings taking the game into an 11 inning stretch. Chelsea Luther started off the top of the 11th with a single up the middle and was advanced to third on another single up the middle by Sara Tani. Duran singled down the left field line scoring Luther to put the Tigers up by one.

With one out, Heronema singled up the middle to put the tying run on first. After Adami singled to the right side Heronema reached second before a fielders choice would advance both runners one bag. With two outs and the winning run on second, Regis was unable to score either runner ending the game at 4-3 in favor of Fort Hays.

Leading the Rangers on the day was Heronema going 6 for 10 with two triples. Adami went 4 for 9 while Anderson went 3 for 9.

Regis will face Colorado State Pueblo Sunday Feb. 8th at the Regis Softball Field. Game times are set for 11 and 1.

Click here for game one boxscore. Click here for game two boxscore.