COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Bryan Chapin went four-for-four with a home run and Will Felton struck out seven batters as the University of Colorado Colorado Springs opened a four-game series with New Mexico Highlands in a 5-3 victory at Spurgeon Field. John Mallon added a three-for-four performance at the plate for the Mountain Lions (18-18, 13-12 RMAC).

Chapin's two-run home run was the start of a four-run inning for the Mountain Lions as UCCS took a 4-2 lead against the Cowboys (13-23, 9-16 RMAC) in the fifth. Tyler Matheny scored Scott Martinez on a sacrifice fly to right field and Colin Ludwig scored Zach Hall with a double down the left field line for the third and fourth runs of the inning. Chapin scored his second run of the game in the next inning on a single from Matthew McDermott.

Felton opened the game with back-to-back strikeouts and made a pair of strikeouts in the sixth inning at the end of his start. He won his second straight decision and improved to 3-3 with his most strikeouts since eight against Nebraska-Kearney on Feb. 18. Joe Slocum earned his RMAC-leading eighth save of the season.

Mallon finished with his fifth multi-hit game in the last seven games and extended his hitting streak to 11. 

UCCS and New Mexico Highlands will continue the series with two, seven-inning games on Friday. The first game starts at noon.