SPEARFISH, S.D. – The Black Hills State University softball team travels to Grand Junction, Colorado, to face Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference opponent Colorado Mesa. First pitch is slated for 4 p.m. on Friday and 11 a.m. Saturday.

According to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association, CMU ranks 19 in the nation, first in the RMAC with a 28-4 and 21-2 record. CMU had five players named to the Preseason All-Conference Team. McKenzie Surface was named Preseason Pitcher of the Year and teammates Brooke Hodgson, Zoe Pakes, Kaila Jacobi and Courtney Robbins.

Hodgson leads the team, and the RMAC, with 14 home runs, 50 RBIs and 46 runs scored. In 32 games, Hodgson has tallied 48 hits in 99 at-bats with a .485 batting average.
Joining Hodgson, Pakes owns a .328 batting average with 20 hits in 61 at-bats. Pakes has tallied 11 runs, four home runs and 20 RBIs. Behind the plate, Pakes has tallied 123 putouts with seven assists against just one error.

In the circle, Surface leads the RMAC with a 2.29 ERA and a 16-3 record. Surface has pitched 14 complete games and tallied four shutouts. In 108 innings pitched, Surface has thrown 104 strikeouts.

Black Hills State owns a 5-23 and 3-17 record after splitting the weekend with New Mexico Highlands.

Freshman Lexi Baker has registered a .354 batting average in 16 games. Baker has tallied eight runs and four RBIs in 17 hits.

Joining Baker, Morgan Smith has recorded a .338 batting average. In 27 hits, Smith has tallied seven RBIs and 15 runs scored for the Yellow Jackets.

Reigning RMAC Pitcher of the Week Alex Wiley leads the pitchers with a 4.09 ERA. The sophomore has pitched two shutouts and nine complete games on the season.

Following the weekend, the Green and Gold stay in Colorado to face RMAC opponent Metropolitan State University of Denver April 14 and 15. First pitch is scheduled for noon both days.