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Mar 5, 2021; Colorado Springs, CO, USA; The UCCS Mountain Lions hosted the Montana State University Billings Yellowjackets in men’s baseball at Mountain Lion Park. Credit: Isaiah J. Downing
Isaiah J. Downing

PREVIEW | Mountain Lions Travel Back to the Golden State to Take on San Francisco State

2/11/2022 8:30:00 AM

By: Eric Mason - Sports Information Director
This Week's Matchup
UCCS Baseball hits the road to California for the second straight weekend to continue their non-conference schedule as the Mountain Lions get set to take on San Francisco State University starting today at 3 p.m. (MT) with a nine-inning game. The series will run over the weekend with a nine-inning and seven-inning double-header at 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. (MT), respectively, followed by a nine-inning game on Sunday scheduled for 1 p.m. (MT).
 
Game Coverage
*Live Stream: https://ccaanetwork.com/sfsu/
Live Stats at SFSU: https://sfstategators.com/sidearmstats/baseball/summary
 
*Fans are required to purchase access through the CCAA Network (https://ccaanetwork.com/sfsu/) in order to live stream the series.
 
Last Time Out
  • UCCS opened the 2022 season last weekend where they finished 1-3 against California State Polytechnic University.
  • The Mountain Lions got the series off to a hot start by downing the Broncos 7-1 off the arm of Jonathan Cowles and the UCCS bullpen with Brad Madison and Matt Johnson each driving in a pair of RBI.
  • In the double-header on Saturday, UCCS went through déjà vu as they suffered two 7-8 losses. In game one, UCCS found themselves in a 8-1 hole heading into the eighth inning but the bats came alive as the Mountain Lions plated six runs in the last two innings. Right fielder Aaron Faragallah was responsible for UCCS' two runs in the eighth an tacked on an additional two RBI in the ninth before falling victim to the one-run loss.
  • Game two started in UCCS' favor who led for the first half of the game by working to a 4-2 lead through five innings of play. The second half of the game told a different story as the Broncos put up five runs in the sixth to tie the game and ended it with a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth.
  • It would be a different day but a similar outcome for the Mountain Lions in game four as a tough 4-5 loss came their way. UCCS held a 4-3 lead in the fourth and fifth inning, but Cal Poly Pomona mounted another comeback after plating a run in the sixth and ending it with a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth once again to close out the series.
RMAC Standings
  • Six RMAC Schools played their first games of the season this past week with Colorado School of Mines going 4-0 against Fort Hays State University.
  • Colorado State University of Pueblo played three games against three different opponents where they recorded one win against New Mexico Highlands University and dropped games against West Texas A&M University and Minot State University.
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver took on Minot State as well and finished 1-2 as New Mexico Highlands took on an 0-2 record with losses to CSU Pueblo and West Texas A&M.
The Series
  • This weekend's four-game series against the SFSU Gators will be the first ever meeting between both teams.
Scouting San Francisco State
  • After being voted to finish fifth in California Collegiate Athletic Association's (CCAA) 2022 Preseason Poll, the San Francisco State Gators are returning to the field for the first time since Mar. 8, 2020 following a canceled season in 2021 due to COVID-19.
  • Prior to the remainder of the 2020 season being canceled, the Gators were off to a 14-8 start and had come off a split series against conference rival Cal Poly Pomona.
  • SFSU is returning several key players from their 2020 roster including starting shortstop Richie Rios and outfielder Nick Upstill. Rios started all 22 games up the middle in 2020 as he posted a .317 batting average three doubles, two triples, and two home runs that help accounted for 11 RBI. Upstill registered a batting average just north of Rios at .324 as he recorded nine RBI off 22 hits, including three doubles.
  • On the bump, Tyler Franks and Jordyn Eglite bring the most experience back to the 2022 roster with both pitchers combining for 3-3 record. Franks worked his way to a 3.37 ERA in 18.2 innings pitched with Eglite giving up just one hit for a 0.00 ERA in 5.1 innings pitched.
HOT TAKES
  • UCCS outhit Cal Poly Pomona in three of the four games with senior Aaron Faragallah leading the by finishing the weekend by going 9-for-17 with a team high six RBI.
  • Starting second baseman Kiichi Sato found the gaps against CPP by notching a team high three doubles.
  • Both Brad Madison and Kasey Campbell hit the first home runs of the season and the first home runs as a Mountain Lion with Madison walking away with four RBI and Campbell recording three RBI.
  • Graduate student Jonathan Cowles starts the 2022 season off on the right foot after the starter opens the season with a win for the third consecutive year. Through one start and five complete innings of work, Cowles currently holds a 1.80 ERA with three strikeouts.
  • Reliver Dylan Grierson boasts a 2.25 ERA after 2.2 innings of work as the sophomore leads the team with four strikeouts.
  • Freshman Brock Weiss was efficient on the mound as he made his first two collegiate appearances and mitigated damage by giving up just one and hit and one walk in 2.2 innings pitches while fanning three Broncos.
UCCS Under Head Coach Dave Hajek
  • Dave Hajek, who led UCCS to its first RMAC championship in program history, is in his sixth season as the Head Coach of the University of Colorado Colorado Springs baseball program in 2022. He's coached the only MLB Draft pick in Zach Hall and the only All-Americans in Matt McDermott, Matt Clarke, and Evan Richards.
  • In 10 seasons as head coach, Culver holds a .556 winning percentage with a 120-96 overall record that includes, four RMAC Tournament appearances, one RMAC Tournament Championship, a 5-7 RMAC Tournament record, and one NCAA Tournament appearance.
Upcoming Games
  • UCCS Baseball will play their first contest within their home state next week as they travel to Pueblo, Colo. to take on Colorado State University Pueblo for a 2 p.m. non-conference game on Wednesday, Feb. 16.
 
SOCIAL
Twitter - @GoMountainLions
Instagram - @gomountainlions 
Facebook – Go Mountain Lions
 
As a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, the University of Colorado Colorado Springs competes in 16 varsity sports in NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletics. 
 
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