LAKEWOOD, Colo. – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs baseball team wins the opening game of the weekend behind a 15-run performance, run ruling Colorado Christian in seven innings.
INSIDE THE MATCH UP
- Final Score: UCCS 15, CCU 3
- Records: UCCS (8-4, 0-0 RMAC) | CCU (2-12, 0-0 RMAC)
- Facility | Location: All Star Park | Lakewood, Colo.
- All-Time Series: The Mountain Lions improve their record vs the Cougars to 27-6 all-time.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Mountain Lions got the scoring started in the second inning after Nolan Oliver reached on a CCU error, also moving up to second on the play. Two at bats later, Dillon Vroman stayed hot in the nine hole for UCCS, launching his second big fly of the season to give UCCS the two run lead.
- The third inning was the highlight of the afternoon for the UCCS, seeing their first five batters reach base in the inning. Kit Wigington got things started with a leadoff single to right field, setting the table for Hayden Iverson to follow with his second homer of the season, doubling UCCS' lead with one swing of the bat. Trevor Dale was plunked on the ensuing at bat, with Evan Steinberger earning a base on balls as Dale swiping second midway through the plate appearance. With runners on first and second and CCU still yet to record an out, Nolan Oliver returned to the plate and slashed a double down the left field line to plate both Dale and Steinberger, and push the lead to 6-0. Tyler Genrich would be the first to be retired with a line out to second in the sixth plate appearance of the frame, but the Mountain Lions were far from done. Vroman continued the push with a single to left, advancing Oliver to third, bringing up Mikey Brinton who crushed his first long ball as a Mountain Lion, this time a three-run shot to give the visitors a 9-0 lead over the Cougars. UCCS reached two more baserunners in the inning, but both would be stranded, as the Mountain Lions registered seven runs on six hits in the inning.
- CCU responded in the bottom of the inning with all three of the leadoff batters reaching, first on an error, then back-to-back hits including a bunt single from Gavin Acosta. Gregory Rangel followed grounding into a double play, but Taylor McLeod would score, giving the Cougars their first run of the game and only run of the frame unearned.
- CCU got another run back in the fourth inning, this time off the bat of Major Maydon who hit a solo shot to right.
- Both teams added a run in the fifth frame, UCCS on a Bryce Peterson RBI single to plate Vroman who walked, with CCU earning their tally on Acosta's double to bring McLeod home for the second time having reached on a single.
- UCCS went back to work offensively in the sixth inning, with Trevor Dale reaching with one out as he was hit by a pitch for the second time in the game. Evan Steinberger and Nolan Oliver combined for back-to-back singles scoring Dale, with Genrich reaching on a fielder's choice that eliminated Oliver at second. With runners on the corners and two outs, Dillion Vroman kept the line moving with a single to right, bringing home Steinberger to bring the lead back to nine at 12-3. Mikey Brinton then came up and launched another big fly, as he brought in three RBIs for the second time in the game.
- Both sides would see a baserunner reach in the seventh inning, but neither could bring their teammates home, as UCCS wins the first game of the weekend 15-3 in seven innings due to run rule.
GAME STATISTICS
- Mikey Brinton finishes his day going 3 for 5 with a double and two three-run home runs, tallying six RBIs in the game.
- The Mountain Lions and Cougars combined for five home runs in just seven innings of play this afternoon, with UCCS blasting four, and CCU launching one.
- Jason Fink (3-1) earns the win having done so in his last two starts, as Jaxon Simmons (0-1) suffers his first loss of the year.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- UCCS is halfway to their 2024 win total after their eighth win of the season this afternoon, doing so in just twelve games.
- UCCS has won three of their last five games vs. CCU dating back to last season.
UP NEXT
- The Mountain Lions and Cougars will play a doubleheader tomorrow at All Star Park beginning at 11:30 a.m.
SOCIAL
Twitter -
@GoMountainLions
Instagram -
@gomountainlions
Facebook –
/GoMountainLions
As a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, the University of Colorado Colorado Springs competes in 14 varsity sports in NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletics.
