Chadron State hung right with RMAC power Colorado Christian during the first two games between the two programs, but didn't have the same fortune on Saturday as the Eagles fell by 9-1 and 13-0 margins to close out the series. 

After a first day that saw both Friday games stay scoreless through four innings, Colorado Christian scored five runs in the first inning twice to race off to insurmountable margins and eventually end both games in five innings. 

Chadron State is now 9-21 overall and 5-19 in the RMAC. Colorado Christian continues to lead the conference. Colorado Christian stays in first place in the RMAC standings after its two victories, improving to 26-8 overall and 22-2 in the league. 

The Eagles managed six hits over the two games against CCU's league-best pitching staff, which lowered its team ERA to 1.98. Jazlyn Arvizo went 2-for-2 in the opening game, driving home CSC's only run of the day, while Lauren Zimmerman went 1-for-2 in each game. 

CSC starting pitchers Tori Haug and Kenzi Garner, who stymied the Cougar lineup on Friday, both got hit harder in their second starts. Haug pitched 4.2 innings, giving up seven earned runs of her nine runs allowed on seven hits and four walks while striking out two. Haug recovered from a five-run first inning to give up just one run over the next three frames before CCU scored three times in the fifth to reach the eight-run margin needed to end the game. 

Kenzi Garner, who pitched six one-run innings a day ago, only recorded one out before being lifted for freshman Belle Akins with CSC already trailing 5-0. Akins pitched the bulk of game two, with a final line of 3.1 innings pitched and four earned runs allowed on four hits with a walk and a strikeout. 

CCU did most of their damage after the five-run first with a seven-run fourth inning to make it 13-0. Fellow freshman arm Destrie Greiman came in the game with the score 9-0 and pitched 0.1 innings while allowing three runs on four hits. 

Chadron State is emerging from a tough part of their schedule, with the Eagles having played the top two teams in the RMAC standings over the last two weeks and having played 20 consecutive games against teams in the top five of the 12-team RMAC. 

The Eagles will return home to face Regis (10-20, 9-12 RMAC), who currently sits seventh, for a four-game set next Saturday and Sunday, with first pitch set for 12 p.m. on Saturday.

Throwers Lead At Dan Caprioglio Invite

PUEBLO, Colo. – Performances by Chadron State throwers, including a historic showing by freshman Trace Hanchett, highlighted the opening of the outdoor season at the two-day Dan Caprioglio Invitational meet hosted by CSU Pueblo on Friday and Saturday.

On Friday, Hanchett placed third among 28 contestants in the javelin at the Pueblo meet. His mark of 62.01 meters, or 203 feet, 5 ¼ inches, was the first by a Chadron State athlete of more than 200 feet since 1989.

Deron Dolfi, a native of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, holds the CSC record while Danny Moore of Rushville, Nebraska has Chadron State's best javelin throw since the implement was redesigned in 1986 so it wouldn't travel as far. Dolfi set the CSC record of 206-8 in 1986, while Moore's best throw in 1989 was just an inch shorter.

Dolfi sailed the spear at least 204-10 all four years he attended Chadron State. He was an All-American in the event three times, placing as high as third at the NAIA National Meet in 1988. With Hatchett clearing the 200-foot barrier and coming within three-and-a-half feet of Dolfi in his first collegiate meet, the Philipsburg, Kansas native will certainly have his eyes on the school record throughout the season and his career.

"Ever since he came to college, Trace has been waiting for this day, when the outdoor season began and he could throw the javelin," Chadron State Coach Jake Gruver said.   "He got his career off to a really good start."    

Hanchett led six top-10 CSC placers in throws. Another Chadron State entry, William Stemler of Sierra Vista, Ariz., finished 10th in the javelin Friday with a throw of 168-9. Stemler, who also plays defensive end for the Eagle football team, performed well at his first track competition for CSC after also earning a National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) All-American award earlier in the week.

The men's hammer throw drew nearly 50 entries, with two Eagles in the top 10. Chadron State senior Parker Gonser of Windsor, Colorado placed sixth at 178-5 ½, his career-best by more than eight feet, while Christopher Jennings was 10th at 168-4.

Two CSC shotputters were eighth among more than 30 throwers in their respective events. Senior Morgan Ekwall claimed that place in the women's competition at 35-10 ½ and freshman Quade Jordan was eighth with his mark of 47-3 ½.  

In the track events Saturday, a pair of veterans led the Chadron State College track athletes Saturday against some exceptional competition.

Senior Creighton Trembly placed second in the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 14.54. In a field of 33 entries, Trembly outran them all except Everett Delate of Colorado School of Mines, a several-time RMAC champion and the 60-meter hurdles silver medalist at last week's NCAA Division II National Indoor Championships in Indianapolis last week.

Iyengunmwena also had plenty of tough competition in both of his races. He placed seventh among the 60 contestants in the 100-meter dash in 10.62 seconds and was third among 70 speedsters in the 200 in 21.71 seconds. Both times are his career-bests.

The Eagles also placed in the 5000 meter run, with Blaine Johnson coming in sixth in the men's race and Katelyn Beshara placing 10th  at the distance in the women's race.

Chadron State will return to the track next Friday and Saturday at the Jack Christiansen Invitational, hosted by Colorado State University in Fort Collins.

CSC's top-10 placings follow: 

Men's Results
        110 hurdles – 2, Creighton Trembly, 14.54
        100 meters – 7, Esosa Iyengunmwena, 10.62
        200 meters – 3, Esosa Iyengunmwena, 21.71
        400 hurdles – 10, Malachi Swallow, 58.71
        5000 meters – 6, Blaine Johnson, 16:50.95
        Shot Put – 8, Quade Jordan, 47-6.25
        5000 meters – 6, Blaine Johnson, 16:50.95
        Hammer throw – 6, Parker Gonser, 178-5.5; 10, Christopher Jennings, 168-4.25
        Javelin – 3, Trace Hanchett, 203-5.25; 10, William Stemler, 168-9
 
Women's Results
        5000 meters – 10, Katelyn Beshara, 20:52.31
        Shot put – 8, Morgan Ekwall, 35-10.5