COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs baseball team began their three-game series against the No. 20 University of Central Missouri Mules today at Mountain Lion Park. In a close game which included a late run by UCCS, the Mountain Lions would fall just short of the Mules 7-6.
Sophomore pitcher
Jonathan Cowles got the ball for UCCS to start the game. In his second start, Cowles started off the game hot as he threw four scoreless innings. After his hot start, Cowles would give up three runs in the fifth and struggled to recover. He would end the game giving up six earned runs on 11 hits with five strikeouts.
Matt McDermott,
Evan Richards and
Jake Anderson provided consistent offense for the Mountain Lions, recording seven of the nine hits and five of the six RBI for UCCS.
In the third inning,
Matt McDermott singled up the middle for UCCS to get things started. After stealing second, McDermott would score on another single up the middle hit by
Evan Richards. UCCS would add to the lead in the fourth inning after junior
Jordan Humphries blasted a solo home run to right field to make the score 2-0.
The Mules would respond in kind with three runs off of three hits including a triple to left in the fifth inning and four runs off of four hits including another triple, a double and a two-run home run in the sixth inning, making the score 7-2.
UCCS would score one run in eighth after
Jake Anderson singled up the middle to score
Matt McDermott, who doubled to lead off the inning, making the score 7-3.
In the ninth, UCCS would make an attempt at a comeback. The Mules walked
Cody Norton,
Ryan Schmidt and
Matt Berg to load the bases and
Matt McDermott singled through the left side to drive in Norton, making the score 7-4. Two batters later,
Evan Richards singled to right, scoring
Matt Berg and the pinch runner
Henry Ryan to make the score 7-6. Unfortunately, the rally would fall just short with the Mules taking the 7-6 victory.
The Mountain Lions gave it their best shot, but the Mules pitching staff was able to close out the game in the end. UCCS will aim to bounce back tomorrow with a win in the only matchup of the day. First pitch for the game is scheduled for 12 p.m.