By The Hays Daily News

DENVER -- The Fort Hays State University softball team is off to a 2-2 start to the 2010 season, in action in the Denver area. Fort Hays splits its first doubleheader of the season, dropping a 9-1 decision to Regis University on Friday, then taking the nightcap 12-2 against the Rangers. On Saturday, the Tigers split with No. 16 ranked Metropolitan State College of Denver, winning the first game 5-3, then losing 10-2 via the run rule in the nightcap.

Action continues today for the Tigers as they face Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colo. at 10 a.m.

Both Kayla Rupa and Maddie Holub are off to 1-1 starts on the mound for the Tigers, each suffering a run-rule loss in the first four contests, combining for 19 2/3 innings pitched, nine strikeouts, and 16 walks. In a run-rule loss to the Roadrunners in Saturday's nightcap, Holub gave up 10 earned runs on eight walks with two strikeouts. In the 9-1 loss to open the season, Rupa surrendered eight earned runs on 13 hits with four walks and 2 K's. Holub picked up a run-rule victory over the Rangers on Friday, giving up just three hits in five innings with three walks and three K's. Rupa picked up the win over Metro State (3-1) in relief of starter Adrian Mohr. Rupa pitched five innings of shutout relief with two strikeouts and just one walk, while Fort Hays put up five runs in the sixth inning to take the lead. In the inning, Holub had a three-run homer to left field to tie the game. It was her team-leading second homer in the first four games. After four games, Mohr leads the Tigers' hitting, swinging .462 with six hits in 13 at-bats, connecting for two doubles and a home run. Holub has driven in seven runs in four games.