UCCS Athletics

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.- The University of Colorado Colorado Springs baseball team enjoy a complete team performance to win first round match up vs Colorado State University Pueblo 15-3 in the 2026 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Baseball Championships.

INSIDE THE MATCH UP

• Final Score UCCS 15, CSUP 3
• Records: UCCS (33-17-1) | CSUP (26-25)
• Facility | Location: Bergman Sports Complex | Grand Junction, Colo.
• All-Time Series: The Mountain Lions hold a 18-23 all-time series against the ThunderWolves.

 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Mountain Lions struck paydirt first in the bottom of the second inning, as Brendan Killeen got UCCS started with a lead off single, then came into score the game's first run on Tyler Genrich's double during the following at bat. Two batter's later, Ruben Velasco furthered the damage, as he took a pitch up in the zone and deposited it in the bullpen in left center field, scoring himself and Genrich, as UCCS took the early 3-0 lead.
• A lead off double would come around to score after back-to-back ground outs from the ThunderWolves, as CSU Pueblo got a run back in the top of the third, still trailing 3-1.
• UCCS added to their lead in the bottom of the fourth inning when, again, it was Tyler Genrich getting things going, this time with a lead off solo home run, pushing the lead back to three at 4-1. UCCS wasn't done there, with Tyler Buchman working a walk, before Quinn Medin and Tyson Mayberry going back-to-back each with singles, scoring Buchman, and putting runners on the corners. Mayberry would try to swipe second, but would be caught, though Quinn Medin came home to score on the throw to second, as UCCS' lead grew to five, 6-1.
• JJ Fontana would be plunked to put the lead off runner aboard for CSUP, with Jaramiah Sanchez making UCCS pay with a two out double to bring the run home, as Pueblo got a run back to start the fifth, still trailing 6-2.
• The Mountain Lions then went on the march offensively, pairing a triple from Tyler Genrich with singles from Brendan Killeen and Ruben Velasco to score two in the fifth, before they got a solo homer from James Harbison, a double from Trevor Dale, and a single from Brendan Killeen, all with two-outs to bring two more home in the sixth now leading 10-2.
• UCCS would get another pair in the 7^th, as a one out single from Tyler Buchman was followed by a walk to Ruben Velasco. Quinn Medin would ground into a fielder's choice which eliminated Velasco at second, but moved himself up with a stolen base, setting up Matthew Shipley's pinch hit single to score both runs, and push the lead to ten runs at 12-2.
• The Mountain Lions kept the pressure on and earned more insurance in the eighth, as Trevor Dale and Brendan Killeen both provided singles with one out, with Killeen moving to second as the throw tried to get Dale at third, unsuccessfully. Tyler Genrich cleared the bases, blasting his second home run of the game and capturing a 13 run lead, 15-2.
• The ThunderWolves would manufacture a single run in the top of the ninth, but it was far from enough, as UCCS took the 15-3 win in round one, advancing to play MSU Denver tomorrow at 7 p.m.

GAME STATISTICS

• Ruben Velasco, Tyler Genrich (2), and James Harbison all left the yard in day one of the tournament.
• Five of the Mountain Lions runs were driven in by Tyler Genrich, with Ruben Velasco (3), Brendan Killeen (2), and Matthew Shipley (2) also providing multi-RBI performances.  
• Every Mountain Lion hitter had a hit in the first round match up, with Brendan Killeen leading the way with four.
• Gerrit Erickson (6-4) takes the win in a dominant outing of seven complete innings, allowing just five hits, two runs (both earned), and two walks while fanning seven ThunderWolves. Luke Ruby (2-2) is responsible for the loss for CSU Pueblo.

 
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• UCCS wins their first postseason contest since May of 2022, when they defeated CSU Pueblo 8-6 in the Quarterfinal round.
• The Mountain Lions now hold a 3-2 record over CSU Pueblo on the season series.
• Gerrit Erickson set a new career high in single game strikeouts, with seven batters set down on strikes this afternoon. His previous best was six vs Jamestown on Feb. 14^th earlier this season.
• Tyler Genrich turns in his third performance with five RBIs or more this season, joining April 25^th vs MSU Denver (5), and April 10^th at Colorado Mesa (7).

 
UP NEXT
The Mountain Lions are back in action tomorrow evening at 7 p.m. when they take on second seeded MSU Denver in the quarterfinal round of the tournament.
 
SOCIAL
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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.
 
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