COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs fought back from a seven-run deficit after the top of the fourth inning and forced extra innings, but MSU Denver (19-19, 13-12 RMAC) scored two runs in the top of the tenth in a 16-14 victory against the Mountain Lions at Spurgeon Field. Bryan Chapin and Efrain Medina both went four-for-six at the plate and combined for five doubles.

Both teams scored three runs in the first inning, and MSU Denver continued the offense with five more runs in the top of the second. UCCS answered with a two-run home run from Tyler Matheny and cut the Roadrunner lead to 8-5 before MSU Denver scored four more runs in the top of the fourth.

The Mountain Lions manufactured two runs with two outs in the bottom of the fourth with back-to-back doubles from Matheny and Medina to score Matthew McDermott and Zach Hall, respectively, and cut the deficit to 12-8. The Roadrunners expanded the lead to six runs with a pair in the top of the fifth for a 14-8 advantage.

UCCS scored two runs in the sixth with two outs and then drew back-to-back walks to load the bases with the game at 14-10, but a pop-up to the catcher ended the scoring opportunity. Hall and Matheny led off the seventh within singles, and after back-to-back fly-outs, Chapin hit a single and scored Hall while John Mallon hit a double to drive in both Matheny and Chapin and cut the MSU Denver lead to 14-13. McDermott earned a walk at the start of the eighth, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt, to third on a pass ball, and then scored on a wild pitch and tied the game at 14-14.

The Roadrunners put one runner on base in the top of the ninth but couldn't put the runner across. Medina hit a single to left field to start the ninth and reached third after a double play behind him put two outs on the scoreboard. A groundout to the shortstop forced extra innings for the fourth time this season for the Mountain Lions.

MSU Denver put together three hits among its first four batters for one run, and a sacrifice fly to right field scored a second run. McDermott and Scott Martinez were both hit by pitches as UCCS put two runners on base with one out, but the Roadrunners finished the game with back-to-back strikeouts to take the first game of the series, 16-14.

The Mountain Lions tied their season-high with 20 team hits and Hall and Matheny both finished three-for-seven. Matheny, Medina and Mallon both recorded three RBIs, and Hall led the team with four runs. Colin Pratt was charged with the loss in two-and-two-third innings of relief.

UCCS and MSU Denver will continue the series with a pair of seven-inning games on Saturday. First pitch in game one is scheduled for noon.