PLACENTIA, Calif. – University of Colorado Colorado Springs junior Eric Neeley struck out eight batters while the Mountain Lion offense hit three home runs as UCCS (2-2) finished its inaugural weekend with an 11-1 win today against Hope International (2-1). Efrain Medina went two-of-five and hit a three-run home run in the ninth inning.

Zach Hall used the fifth pitch of the game to start the scoring with a home run down the right field line. Matt Bone followed with his own home run over the fence in left center field to make it an early 2-0 lead for the Mountain Lions. Neeley retired 11 straight batters to start the game before giving up the only run of the game on a home run to left field in the fourth inning as Hope International made it a 2-1 game.

UCCS put its first three batters on base to start the seventh inning. The Mountain Lions scored all three of the batters when Brant Chapin scored after a balk, and when Bryan Chapin and John Mallon scored on a sacrifice bunt from Colin Ludwig to expand the lead to 5-1.

UCCS put the first three on base again in the top of the ninth, and Bryan Chapin scored his second run after an RBI single from Matthew McDermott. Mallon scored on a sacrifice fly from Tyler Keil and Ludwig scored on a single to right field by Hall. Medina cleared the bases with his home run to left field to make it a six-run ninth inning for UCCS.

Hall went two-of-five with two RBIs and two runs, and started the season with hits in each game this weekend. Bryan Chapin also went two-of-five today with a pair of runs as UCCS recorded 11 hits as a team.

Neeley earned the win in his first start with two hits and no walks allowed. Blake Williams retired in order the three batters he faced in the seventh inning and Daniel Silva closed out the game with a strikeout in a two-inning appearance.

UCCS will return to Colorado for a three-game non-conference series at Colorado State-Pueblo (0-2) on Feb. 10-12.