COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs baseball team win game one of the series with the University of Minnesota-Crookston with a walk off single in the 10
th inning off the bat of
Tyler Genrich.
INSIDE THE MATCH UP
- Final Score: UCCS 9, UMC 8
- Records: UCCS (2-2, 0-0 RMAC) | UMC (0-1, 0-0 NSIC)
- Facility | Location: Mountain Lion Park | Colorado Springs, Colo.
- All-Time Series: The Mountain Lions hold a 3-1 record in games against the Golden Eagles.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- UCCS found themselves in an early hole as the Golden Eagles got off to a hot start at the plate in their first game of the season. Two leadoff walks and a hit-by-pitch loaded the basses with no outs for Jason Fink on the mound for UCCS. Fink, however, would get a ground ball to Bryce Peterson at second for the first out, but a run scored to open the scoring. A two run single would further the damage for Crookston, but Fink came back to strike out the final two hitters before the deficit grew any further.
- UCCS would waste no time getting even, doing so in the bottom of the first. Quinn Medin got things going with a leadoff double, with Bryce Peterson putting runners on the corners with a single two batters later. Nolan Oliver came through for the Mountain Lions with a three run homer to left, tying the game at three runs a side. Trevor Dale threatened for more with a two out double, but was stranded at second base.
- Jackson Fliflet led off the second frame with a solo shot to put the visitors right back in front 4-3, but Jason Fink settled in, only allowing one run in the inning.
- The next run wouldn't come until the Golden Eagle fifth, as each team struggled to capitalize on baserunners in the third and fourth innings. That changed with two outs in the top of the fifth, when Cole Hebl double to center, coming into score when Elias Leach singled on the next at bat. UCCS went to the bullpen to bring in Joe McDermott, who was able to finish the inning without allowing any other runs.
- The Mountain Lions pulled even once again in the sixth inning, using a Brendan Killeen single, a Robert Vandegrift fielder's choice paired with a UMC error, and a Tyler Genrich double to manufacture a pair of runs, tying the game at 5-5.
- Three more runs came home for the Golden Eagles off of a pair of home runs in the seventh, as UCCS struggled to score on Issac Wensloff who came on in relief for Crookston, now leading 8-5.
- UCCS would once again tie the game, doing so with dramatics in the ninth inning. Tyler Buchman began the frame with a solo shot to left, cutting the lead to 8-6. After Tyler Genrich struck out looking, Crookston went back to the bullpen to bring in Jaxon Hams who struggled to command his pitches, allowing UCCS back into the game. Quinn Medin and Tyson Mayberry were both walked on four pitches to start Hams' outing, with Bryce Peterson being the first out for Hams' on a line drive to center field. Medin made a good read on the line-out, tagging from second to put runners on the corners with UCCS down to their last out. Nolan Oliver was the last hope for the Mountain Lions, coming through with a double down the left field line, to score both baserunners and tie the game at 8-8. On the final at bat of the ninth Brendan Killeen looked to have reached on a grounder to short stop that pulled the UMC first baseman off the bag, but was called out. Dave Hajek came out to contest the call, but it would stand as the game headed for extras.
- Brett Woytek would strikeout the leadoff hitter for the Golden Eagles, before striking Nate Haymann with a pitch, then giving up a single to Americo Sculati to put runners on first and second with one out. Mason Hartle was brought in from the pen to try and get the final two outs, which he was able to do. Cole Hebl went down on strikes before Hartle issued a walk on six pitches to Connor Buchbaum. Kyler Miller then held his breath as he sent one high in the air to center, but Medin was there to make the catch and keep Crookston scoreless.
- The Mountain Lions didn't take long to end it in their half of the tenth, with Trevor Dale singling to right to lead off, moving up to second on a wild pitch in the next at bat. Robert Vadegrift provided the sacrifice bunt to move Dale to third, with Buchman reaching on a hit-by-pitch as well. Tyler Genrich was the hero with one out, lifting a single to right center to score Dale and give UCCS the 9-8 win in a game one thriller.
GAME STATISTICS
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Nolan Oliver's five RBIs is a new career high, topping his previous best of three vs CCU on February 28th of last season.
- Mason Hartle earns his first win as a Mountain Lion in his second appearance with the team.
UP NEXT
- The Mountain Lions continue the series tomorrow at 12 p.m. at Mountain Lion Stadium.
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.
