PUEBLO, Colo. (February 22, 2026) - The Colorado State University Pueblo softball team combined for 20 runs and 28 hits on Sunday, securing a dominant opening victory before falling in a tight extra-inning battle to split a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) doubleheader against Chadron State at the Rawlings Softball Complex.

The ThunderWolves (6-8, 2-2 RMAC) exploded for a season-high 17 runs in the first game of the day, but the Eagles (2-11, 2-2 RMAC) rallied to take the nightcap 4-3 in eight innings.

Game One: CSU Pueblo 17, Chadron State 6
CSU Pueblo's offense was relentless in the opener, racking up 20 hits, including three home runs, to overwhelm the Eagles. After taking a 4-1 lead through three innings, the Pack blew the game open with a six-run fourth and finished strong with a five-run seventh inning.

Caitlyn Cole (Sr., Merced, Calif.) set the tone from the lead off spot, going 3-for-4 with a home run and four runs scored. Emma Case (Jr., Loveland, Colo.) provided the power in the middle of the lineup, driving in five runs on a 2-for-4 performances that included a home run and a double. Madelyn Huerta (Sr., Azusa, Calif.) also joined the home run parade, finishing with three RBI.

Freshman Reese Reimler (Champlin, Minn.) remained hot at the plate, going 3-for-5 with three runs, while Cali Cole (So., Merced, Calif.) and Darleen Falcon (Sr., Moreno Valley, Calif.) each contributed two hits and two RBI.

In the circle, the trio of Eva Miller-Sanchez (Fr., Denver, Colo.), Jaylah Rivera (Fr., Colorado Springs, Colo.) and McKenna James (Sr., Windsor, Colo.) combined to give up six runs on seven hits. 

Miller-Sanchez started the game and lasted 3.2 innings and gave up five runs on five hits and allowed five walks with two strikeouts.

Rivera earned the victory after coming on in relief during the fourth inning and pitched 0.2 innings and gave up a run before being replaced with the bases loaded by James.

James was able to escape the inning with a strikeout and ground out before retiring the Eagles in order in the sixth and after a defensive error, slammed the door to seal the win.

Game Two: CSU Pueblo 3, Chadron State 4 (8 innings)
The second game was a pitcher's dual that eventually required extra innings to decide a winner. The ThunderWolves held a slim 3-2 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh, but Chadron State managed to tie the game to force the eighth inning.

Kayli Cooper (Jr., North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada) delivered a strong performance in the circle, striking out eight batters and allowing just two earned runs over 7.1 innings of work.

Offensively, Reimler continued her impressive Sunday by launching a solo home run. Caitlyn Cole added two more hits, including a double, and drove in a run. However, a walk-off single by Chadron State in the bottom of the eighth secured the split for CSC.

Up Next
The ThunderWolves remain at home for a four-game RMAC series against Black Hills State. The series is scheduled to begin on Saturday at Noon at Rawlings Softball Complex.