COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs baseball team shakes off the offseason rust to dominate the Fort Hays State Tigers in 14-3 run-rule victory.
INSIDE THE MATCH UP
- Final Score: UCCS 14, FHSU 3
- Records: UCCS (1-1, 0-0 RMAC) | FHSU (1-1, 0-0 MIAA)
- Facility | Location: Mountain Lion Park | Colorado Springs, Colo.
- All-Time Series: The Mountain Lions hold a 2-2 record in games against Fort Hays State.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- UCCS would strike first for the second straight game, this time doing major damage in the first inning. Tyson Mayberry reached base first when he was struck by a fastball, before Bryce Peterson joined him on a single. Nolan Oliver loaded the bases on a walk, giving UCCS a golden opportunity with just one out. James Harbison got underneath a pitch to pop out to second, but Robert Vandegrift made up for it, smashing a grand slam off the flag pole in left center field in his first at bat as a Mountain Lion. Cayden Gonzalez followed with a single to keep the inning going, setting up Trevor Dale's two run home run to push the lead to 6-0 after one.
- Derek Woolwine would answer back for the Tigers to lead off the second inning, but his run would be the only damage on Gerritt Erickson, who worked his way out of a bases loaded situation to end the threat for more.
- UCCS continued to add to their lead in the bottom of the second, as Tyson Mayberry and Bryce Peterson led off with back-to-back singles. Nolan Oliver once again loaded the bases, this time on a hit by pitch to set up a hard-hit RBI single from James Harbison to push the lead to 7-1. A wild pitch would bring Bryce Peterson across, as UCCS led 8-1 after two.
- The next run in the contest came in the Mountain Lion's third inning, with Tyler Genrich slashing his first double of the season, having Bryce Peterson bring him home on an RBI single two batters later.
- The fourth saw six batters all set down by both teams, before UCCS sent the Tigers down in order once again in the top of the fifth.
- The bottom of the fifth was another productive one for UCCS, as Trevor Dale launched a solo homer over the scoreboard to begin the inning, setting up Tyler Genrich's double off the batters eye and a Quinn Medin walk. Tyson Mayberry doubled to score both baserunners, with Mayberry scoring himself on a wild pitch a batter later. UCCS headed for the sixth with a comfortable 13-1 lead.
- The Mountain Lions would add a run in the sixth, with the Tigers salvaging two runs in the top of the seventh, as UCCS returned the favor from Friday, beating the Tigers 14-3 in a seven inning run-rule win.
GAME STATISTICS
- The Mountain Lions exploded for 14 runs on 13 hits and just one error defensively.
- Fort Hays scored three runs on six hits, going perfect defensively.
- Gerrit Erickson (1-0) earns the win in a three hit, one run gem, as Cody Bruss (0-1) takes the loss for Fort Hays without reaching the second inning.
- Trevor Dale left the yard twice for the Mountain Lions, with Robert Vandegrift blasting the first inning grand slam.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Gerrit Erickson records his first career outing of 5+ innings with three hits or less allowed.
- Trevor Dale picks up his third career multi-home run performance.
UP NEXT
- The Mountain Lions and Tigers will face off tomorrow at 11 a.m. in the series finale.
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.
