The Mavericks offense continued to show off their offensive abilities as they scored a combined 45 runs in the final three games of the series against Azusa Pacific University (APU).
Sophomore infielder Harrison Rodgers added to his home run total for the weekend as he hit two more home runs in Colorado Mesa University’s (CMU) 20-10 win in game one on Feb.11.
Rodgers home run came in the sixth inning as he was able to find a pitch on a 0-1 count to drill over the right field fence scoring senior catcher Spencer Bramwell and junior outfielder Conrad Villafuerte.
He was able to do it again with Bramwell and redshirt freshman infielder Max Berni on base in the ninth.
Junior designated hitter Haydn McGeary got things going for the Mavericks as he hit a no doubt home run to left center in the first allowing senior outfielder Matt Turner to score. The Mavericks added a run in the second as senior outfielder Johnny Carr grounded out to second base but the out allowed Rodgers to score from third.
Six Mavericks had a multi hit game in the first game on Saturday including senior infielder Caleb Farmer who had another strong performance at the plate as he drove in three RBIs and also had a two run home run.
Rodgers, Farmer and McGeary were not the only Mavericks to hit home runs as senior infielder Chase Hamilton also drove in a run with a solo shot in the fourth inning.
CMU showed that they are able to hit the long ball but also drive in runs in the field as well.
Wanting to defeat the Mavericks after a big loss on Friday afternoon, APU had a big second inning as they were able to score five runs off of Mavericks starter right handed pitcher Joey Mazzetti.
Mazzetti, making his Maverick debut after transferring in from Northern Colorado University, only lasted 1 ⅓ innings as he had a clean first inning but struggled to find his rhythm in the second. He gave up five runs all in the second but was able to strike out three in his appearance.
Senior left-handed pitcher Austin Lorenz picked up the win in game two of the weekend as he came in and pitched a solid 3 ⅔ innings.
New to the Mavericks bullpen, senior right handed pitcher Dave Henderson came in and gave up four runs in two innings.
Senior right-handed pitcher Frankie Fitzgerald came in for the final two innings and got five strikeouts closing out the game for CMU.
In game two, the ball was handed to left handed sophomore Kannon Handy who was able to pitch a gem only allowing one run in six innings of work. Handy had the support from his offense as well as the Mavericks took the lead in the first inning once again.
Farmer was able to deliver and hit a solo home run to give CMU a two run lead in the fifth inning. The team wouldn’t stop there as they scored four more runs in the inning. They capped off the night by scoring one more run in the seventh.
The Mavericks came out on Saturday looking to sweep the series and they did just that as they secured a 18-14 win.
Rodgers added to his home run total as he hit his sixth of the series Saturday afternoon. He then went 3-6 the rest of the game.
The home runs continued for Farmer as well as he led off the game with a solo home run down the left field line. He showed that he can hit anywhere on the field as he then hit another solo shot but this time to right field. Like Rodgers, he hit six home runs this weekend.
Villafuerte got in on the action as he hit a two run home run in the third. New to the Mavericks lineup senior outfielder Julian Boyd hit a home run to left center field in the third inning.
The Mavericks found themselves playing catch up to APU until the fourth inning when a double by Carr that scored Bramwell tied the game.
With CMU up by three by the bottom half of the inning, Will Stroud hit a two run homerun to tie the game at nine.
In a back and forth game the Mavericks put up five runs combined in the last two innings to secure the victory.
The Mavericks used a plethora of pitchers to secure the victory. This included junior right handed pitchers Isaac Hayen and Josh Danyliw. Sophomore Cooper Vasquez also made an appearance. CMU saw their first glimpse at what freshman Cole Seward will bring to the program.
CMU will compete next weekend in their home opener against Montana State University-Billings. First pitch of the series is scheduled for 2:30 on Feb.17.
