April 28, 2008

The Metro State softball team won three consecutive games from Chadron State to close out Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) play, Sunday in Chadron, Neb. The Roadrunners won by the scores of 13-11, 6-1 and 10-1.

Metro State came back from a five-run deficit in the first game to score 10 runs in the final two innings and claim the 13-11 victory. The rally started in the seventh inning. Cari Thompson advanced to first on a hit by pitch and Molly Clark reach on an error by Chadron's second baseman. Dani Hedstrom followed with a double to center field to score two runs. After another hit by pitch and a walk, Sarah Rusch doubled to left center to score two more. Three consecutive walks allowed the Roadrunners to score two more runs and take the lead at 9-7. Chadron put two runs of their own on the board in the bottom of the seventh to tie the score at 9-9.

Metro State managed only one hit in the eighth inning, but thanks in part to two errors from the Chadron State infield, the Roadrunners scored four times to stretch the lead to 13-9. The Eagles threathened in the eighth inning, scoring two runs, but pithcer Libby Balogh finished them off to earn her ninth victory of the season. The freshman pitched the complete game, allowing 13 hits and nine earned runs.

Strong Metro State pitching was the story of the final two games of the series. Jessica Fisher went the distance in the second game of the day, allowing just four hits and one run. Jennessa Tesone and Nicole Lyles both had two RBIs to help the Roadrunners to the 6-1 victory.

Casey Thompson won her eighth consecutive decision to improve to 10-2 on the season. She pitched six innings allowing just six hits and one run. Metro State connected for four home runs to close out the three-game series with a 10-1 victory.

The Roadrunners finish their first regular season in the RMAC with a 30-16 overall record and 26-11 in the conference. They finished just one win behind Colorado School of Mines, who was declared the regular season champion. The Orediggers will host the conference tournament this weekend. Metro will face CSU-Pueblo at 9 a.m. Thursday at Long Lake Ranch Park. The two teams have met six times this season with the series being tied at 3-3.