CU Sports
Kenton Means, Sports Information Director
SAN ANGELO, Texas – Cameron falls in extra innings to Colorado Mesa 3-2 in the opening game of the NCAA Division II South Central 1 Regional.
The game was rolling right along early, as just one hit combined was surrendered through the first four innings. Cameron got their first hit of the game on an Abbey Warren single in the top of the fifth, but nothing would come of it.
In the bottom of the fifth, the Mavericks got on the board first with three straight two out hits, as two runs come in to score on a Maggie Manwarren double.
The Aggies responded in the top of the sixth as three straight singles from Paige Daino, Breezy McComas, and Brenna Busby loaded the bases. Callie Busby then came up and singled to left to put CU’s first run on the board, scoring pinch runner Sydnee Stolz from third. However, CMU’s Mckenzie Surface would strike out the next two batters to get out of trouble.
Cameron added to that in the top of the seventh, as Daino drove in Kaytlyn Kizarr, who singled to lead off the inning, on a RBI base hit to tie the game at two runs apiece. The Mavericks threatened in the bottom of the inning, getting a runner to third with two outs, but pitcher Bethany Hines was able to escape the inning unscathed to force the game into extra innings.
The Black and Gold was able to sneak out of trouble again in the eighth, as Callie Busby tagged a runner out trying to take home on a passed ball to force it to the ninth, but that would all the luck CU would get as Kellie Mrofcza reached on a leadoff walk in the bottom of the ninth and then scored two batters later on a single by Abby Toller, giving them the 3-2 win.
Hines got the loss, moving her record to 25-8 on the season. She went eight innings, giving up three runs on six hits while walking three CMU batters. Surface extended her record to 27-4 with the win, as she recorded 11 strikeouts in nine innings of work.
Daino led CU at the plate with two hits and an RBI, while C. Busby drove in the other run. Toller went 3-4 for the Mavericks.
The Aggies are now 33-19 overall this season, while CMU moves to 47-6 on the year.
Cameron will go on to play the loser of the second game of the day between No. 1 Angelo State and Lubbock Christian on Friday beginning at 3:30 p.m.