Softball wins five straight on tourney

Written by Josiah Kaan
(jkaan@mscd.edu)
Photo by Leah Millis
(lmillis@mscd.edu)

Metro softball gained five wins Feb. 20-22 in a three-day Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference/Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Crossover Tournament hosted by the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.

The RMAC/NCIS crossover tournament is a round robin tournament featuring eight teams from both the RMAC and NSIC.

“We did really well this weekend,” shortstop Amber Roundtree said. “We hit the ball really well and improved on defense a lot.”

Metro started the tournament with a win, beating Augustana College 6-3 in a close game that came down to big plays in the final inning for the Roadrunners.

With the score tied at three after six innings, Roundtree hit a two-run home run, helping Metro finish the inning with a 6-3 lead. Pitcher Christie Robinson sealed the game with solid pitching which included striking out two batters.

“Christie Robinson pitched a great game going all seven innings,” head coach Jennifer Fisher said.

Metro won its second game of the day against Minnesota State University at Mankato 15-13 in a high scoring game that was called early.

“We couldn’t shut them down,” Fisher said. “We couldn’t catch a break. We had to just keep battling.”

Trailing by one run going into the bottom of the fourth inning, first baseman Jessica Haab hit a double, bringing home a run and tying the game. Roundtree singled, bringing Haab home, and scored off a double by second baseman Sarah Rusch, giving Metro a 15-12 lead.

Robinson held MSU to a single hit and didn’t allow a run in the fifth inning, since the umpires called the game after the top of the fifth due to darkness, giving Metro the win.

Metro started the second day of the tournament run ruling Concordia-St.Paul, winning the game 12-4.

The Roadrunners finished the day off with another win, beating St. Cloud State University 11-6.
Metro won its fifth game in a row beating the University of Mary 4-0 in a defensive game to start the last day of the tournament.

“Christie Robinson had a really good pitching performance,” Fisher said. “She only gave up three hits in seven innings.”

Most of Metro’s scoring came in the third inning when Rusch singled, bringing in Roundtree, then scored off a single from Mickelson. In the fourth inning, Roundtree scored catcher Lauren Hainlen on a single, then in the sixth doubled, bringing Hainlen in once again.

Metro’s first loss of the tournament came in the last game during the final inning to Wayne State University due to an error that allowed two runs.

“It was a pop-up that landed behind the pitcher in no man’s land,” Fisher said on the error.
Metro lost the game 2-0 after being unable to drive in any runs at their last at bat.

“I think we had a great weekend,” Fisher said. “I feel good about going 5-1. We’re looking forward for conference play on Saturday.”

The Roadrunners ended the weekend 5-1 and improved to a 7-3 overall record. Metro hosts Mesa State Feb. 28 and Mar. 1 at Auraria Field.