Roadrunners sweep home opener

Written by Josiah Kaan
(jkaan@mscd.edu)
Photo by Andrew Bisset
(abisset1@mscd.edu)

Metro 4 - Mesa 0, Metro 1 - Regis 1

Metro wins 4 straight games against Mesa; 5-1 in RMAC

Metro softball started conference play strong winning all four games against Mesa State College Feb.28-March 1 at Auraria Field.

“It was big for us to get these four wins,” head coach Jen Fisher said. “Mesa is a solid hitting team, and we have a lot of respect for them.”

The Roadrunners didn’t play past the fifth inning Feb. 28 as they out played Mesa in both games.

Metro won the first game of the day with great team hitting that produced 12 runs batted in on their way to beat Mesa 14-3.

Ahead 5-2 at the end of the first inning, Metro put on the gas with a seven-run third inning, followed by a two-run fourth inning.

Pitcher Christie Robinson played good defense, taking care of five ground balls and not allowing a run throughout the last three innings.

“Robinson pitched very well,” Fisher said.

The second game ended similarly as Metro continued hitting well leading to a 16-8 victory.

Pitcher Corrie Nishikida started the game throwing three scoreless innings as the Roadrunners racked up a 13-0 lead due to a nine-run third inning. Mesa made an attempt at the lead with a five run fourth inning and a three run fifth inning.

Nishikida led off the bottom of the fifth with a double to left field, then was later batted in for the game ending run by center fielder Kellie Nishikida.

“It was pretty cool that she scored that last run and her sister hit her in,” Fisher said.

“We want to set the tone for the RMAC,” Kellie Nishikida said. “Every game is important from here on out.”

Metro won the first game March 1, 5-4 in a match won by good defensive play. All of Metro’s scoring came early with a three run first inning, due to a two-run home run by second baseman Sarah Rusch, followed later by a homerun by right fielder Tara Mickelson, and a two-run second inning.

“I’m really happy with the success we’re having, but I don’t think we’ve reached our capability yet,” Robinson said. “We still have a long road ahead of us.”

Metro won the last game of the series 9-2 due to solid play on both offense and defense. Pitcher Brittany Moss started the game with great pitching as she held Mesa scoreless through the first three innings, helping Metro take a 6-0 lead. The Roadrunners sealed the game scoring two runs in the fifth inning, followed by another run in the sixth inning, while holding Mesa to only two runs for the game.

Moss pitched a complete game, striking out seven batters and allowing only four hits.
“We’re going to be a hard team to beat,” Moss said.

The Roadrunners improve to 11-3 overall with a 4-0 conference record, and is tied for first in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference’s East Division with Colorado School of Mines. Metro plays three conference games at New Mexico Highlands University March 8 in Las Vegas, N.M.