CHADRON, Neb. – Belle Akins, a true freshman making her first-ever RMAC start, threw a five-inning no-hitter as the Chadron State Eagles split a doubleheader with New Mexico Highlands, taking three of four from the Cowgirls in the series. 

While the visitors won the first game 3-1, the Eagles rolled to a 12-0 five-inning victory in game two behind a dominant performance from Akins, who struck out six and allowed two walks for her only baserunners of the afternoon while completing five innings on just 55 pitches. 

It is the first no-hitter for Chadron State softball since February 28, 2011, when Christina Lewis twirled a no-no for the Eagles against Nebraska Kearney in an 8-0 five-inning victory. 

Akins's performance came in the Elkhorn, Nebraska native's second-ever collegiate start and first-ever start against a conference opponent. It also came a day after Akins earned a win and a save in two relief appearances as Chadron State won the first two games of the series against NMHU.

Akins struck out both the first and last batter of the game and relied primarily on a fastball that Cowgirls were consistently late on. She walked the leadoff batter in the top of the second and walked another with two outs in the fifth but otherwise kept the Cowgirls completely off the bases while CSC played errorless defense behind her. 

During her no-hitter, Akins recorded six strikeouts, eight flyouts and just one groundout. Three of her strikeouts came in the first two innings while she finished strong with two strikeouts in the fifth.

Meanwhile, Chadron State produced enough offense to get the game over with in five innings. Third baseman Lauren Zimmerman crushed three home runs on the day, with two coming in game two during Akins' no-hitter, and added a sacrifice fly to drive in six of CSC's 12 runs during the second game.

The Eagles scored two in the first, four in the second, one in the third and five in the fourth to build their 12-0 advantage. Zimmerman homered in each of the first two innings, sending a two-run shot to left just three batters into the game and hitting a three-run homer to left-center in the second. Sophia Brennan also homered in the second inning, the Eagle catcher's second home run of the season. 

With a 7-0 lead entering the bottom of the fourth and needing one run to put the run rule in play for the fifth, the Eagles delivered and then some. Angelina Quezada and Jazlyn Arvizo singled before Brennan walked to load the bases.

Pinch-hitter Kenzi Garner worked ahead in the count 3-1 and crushed a grand slam to left center to put the Eagles up by double digits. After pinch-hitters Kendall Petty, Devyn Thornton and Brogan Allen all singled, Zimmerman drove home her sixth run of the game with a sacrifice fly before Akins completed her historic outing in the top of the fifth. 

In the first game of the day, pitching ruled as both teams finished with five hits apiece. Chadron State got its only run on a solo home run by Zimmerman, but the Cowgirls scored once in the first and twice in the fourth to earn a 3-1 victory. Kenzi Garner pitched a complete game in game one, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits with two walks and one strikeout. 

With the 1-1 day, Chadron State is now 7-5 overall and 4-4 in the RMAC. The Eagles will hit the road next week to face UCCS on March 1 and 2.