Grand Junction, Colo. – The Black Hills State University softball team split with Colorado Mesa on Saturday to improve to 2-6 in RMAC play and 3-12 overall. The Yellow Jackets fell to the Mavericks in their first game of the day by a score of 1-6, but rallied in the second game to score 11 runs to pick up their second RMAC win, 11-9.

In the first game, the Yellow Jackets were first to strike as they took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning and held that lead until the bottom of the fourth inning when the Mavs had a five run fourth inning. Black Hills State's lone run came from freshman Cassie Smith who got on base with a walk.

Senior pitcher Katie Wagner was on the mound for the Yellow Jackets, she pitched all six innings, giving up five hits, and three earned runs, while recording nine strike outs. Wagner also led the offensive charge in the first contest of the day, she recorded three of the five Yellow Jacket hits.

In the second game of the double header, junior pitcher Alex Huntington got her first RMAC win as she was credited with the 11-9 win over the Mavericks. Huntington went 4.1 innings and gave up seven runs on seven hits, six of which were were earned. Wagner finished the final 2.2 innings for the Yellow Jackets giving up two runs on five hits.

Black Hills State was led offensively by junior second baseman Kyley Barela who recorded three hits and scored three runs on four at bats. Huntington had a good day offensively she recorded three hits and two runs on five at bats including a homerun. Huntington also batted three runs in. Junior outfielder Allie Alverson had a good day swinging the stick as she had two hits and one run on four at bats and recorded four RBI's. Black Hills State had 14 hits in the win.

"The team battled today," said head coach Amy Gurney. "We never quit fighting and it paid off in the second game. It was a fun and exciting day for us as a team and as a program as we recorded our second conference win this season."

The Yellow Jackets will return to action Sunday, March 11 as they return to the softball diamond for their second day of double headers against the Mavericks, game time is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. and 1 p.m. in Grand Junction, Colo.

For more information on Black Hills State Athletics please visit BHSUAthletics.com.