GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – The No. 5/6 ranked team in Division II handed the University of Colorado Colorado Springs baseball team an 11-0 setback Friday night. Colorado Mesa University executed most of their damage with two outs in the inning, scoring eight of their 11 runs tonight with two outs.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final Score: UCCS 0, #5/6 Colorado Mesa 11
Records: UCCS (16-23, 8-13 RMAC) | CMU (30-9, 18-2 RMAC)
Facility | Location: The Diamond| Grand Junction, Colo.
All-Time Series: The Mountain Lions trail CMU in the all-time series, 20-8.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Colorado Mesa made quick work on the scoreboard to open the series, putting a five-bill on the board in the opening frame. Harrison Rodgers took the fifth pitch he saw and sailed it over the left field fence for a leadoff home run. Two outs and a UCCS error later, CMU added four unearned runs on three straight hits that included a triple to give the home team a 5-0 lead.
- The Mavericks held the Mountain Lions to three-up, three down in the next two innings while CMU added a run in the bottom of the second and third innings.
- Kit Wigington tallied the Mountain Lions first hit of the game with a single up the middle but was unable to move to second base in the top half of the fourth inning. UCCS' Ronan Hella, Mason Pastorello and Caleb Stubbings combined to turn a double play in the home half of the same inning, but CMU added two runs to their lead on an RBI double and a passed ball for a 9-0 advantage.
- The top of the fifth inning featured a single through the right side by Evan Steinberger followed by a walk from Keegan Sueltz but both runners were left stranded on base. The defense came through in the bottom of the fifth frame as Hella once again turned a double play to Stubbings to hold CMU scoreless for the first time tonight.
- The Mavericks added two insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth to extend their lead to 11-0 and close out the shutout win.
GAME STATISTICS
- The Mountain Lions finished the game with three hits on 29 at-bats.
- Pastorello, Wigington and Steinberger accounted for UCCS' three hits.
- Pastorello added two stolen bases and a walk. Third baseman Sueltz drew two walks on his three plate appearances.
- Cole Philip started on the mound and pitched the first three innings. Seven runs scored on his watch but only two were earned. He finished the game facing 22 batters and striking out four.
- Hunter Owens and Brennen Meyers made appearances in relief on the mound. Owens allowed four earned runs and four hits in three innings as Meyers closed out the game, fanning two batters and not allowing a hit or run.
- Rodgers paced the Mavericks going 2-for-4 with two RBI, two runs scored, a home run and a walk.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Pastorello stole two bases tonight, tying him for the most stolen bases in a game this season. It marks his third career game with two stolen bases.
- Tonight's 11-0 shutout loss is the fifth time the Mavericks have shutout UCCS in 28 games.
UP NEXT
- Saturday's doubleheader will begin at 1 p.m.
SOCIAL
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