GILLETTE, Wyo. – The Black Hills State University softball team fell in a doubleheader to Metropolitan State University Denver on Sunday afternoon. The Roadrunners (25-19, 20-10 RMAC took the first game, 7-1, and the Yellow Jacket (8-22, 8-14 RMAC) rally came up short in game two, as they fell, 5-4. Senior Claire Fergusson was honored before the games. 

MSUD 7, BHSU 1
The first inning remained scoreless, before the Roadrunners jumped ahead, 3-0, in the second inning. After a leadoff walk, MSUD hit three doubles in the frame to drive in three runs. The Yellow Jackets got one run back in the bottom of the inning. Maddi Fidler opened the inning with a double, and eventually came around to score.

MSU Denver added four runs in the fourth inning, taking a commanding 7-1 lead. Although the Green and Gold were able to get runners on base in the fourth and fifth innings, BHSU was unable to plate any further runs, and ultimately fell, 7-1.

Fidler recorded two hits in the game, while Katelyn Odle, Maddie London, Kindall Bethke, and Morgan Smith each had one hit.

Melissa Gellerman (4-11) took the loss for the Yellow Jackets. She allowed seven runs (four earned) in 7.0 innings. She struck out three batters.

MSUD 5, BHSU 4
The Roadrunners took a 1-0 lead in the first inning of game two, and added another run in the second inning. In the top of the fifth, MSUD added three insurance runs to take a 5-0 lead.

BHSU began to chip away in the bottom of the fifth. After Brittany Henricksen had a one-out single, Claire Fergusson walked, and Alex Wiley singled to load the bases. Melissa Gellermann then hit an RBI groundout, allowing Henricksen to score.

In the bottom of the sixth, the Yellow Jackets scored three runs, including two on a single up the middle by Brittany Henricksen. Heading into the seventh inning, the Green and Gold trailed, 5-4. Down to the last chance, BHSU got one runner on base in the bottom of the seventh, but the team was unable to bring anyone across, and ultimately fell.

Brittany Henricksen finished the game 2-for-3 with two runs batted in and two runs scored. Gellermann also had an RBI. Alex Wiley was 3-for-4, while senior Claire Fergusson was 1-for-2 with a walk.

Alex Wiley (4-8) took the loss in the circle. She allowed five runs (two earned) in 7.0 innings of work.

The Green and Gold will play another doubleheader with the Roadrunners on April 16. First pitch on Monday is scheduled for 11 a.m.