Just have fun.
That was the message from the team after the Mavericks secured a spot in the South Central Super Regional after beating St.Edwards (SEU) 28-9.
The two teams played a winner take all game Saturday afternoon after the two teams split the doubleheader Friday.
“I’m really proud of our guys, they came out pretty dialed in. We challenged them to get into double digits prior to the game to be offensive and not just lead this in the pitchers hands. The pitchers have been battling for us and we busted open a little today and that was nice to see,” Head Coach Chris Hanks said.
To start off the game, the Mavericks put up a six run first inning which the Hilltoppers struggled to respond to.
Colorado Mesa University (CMU) senior outfielder Matthew Turner led the game off with a solo home run to left center field. With the bases loaded, senior infielder Jordan Stubbings came up to the plate and hit a grand slam down the left field line. Up for the second time in the first inning, Turner hit a single through the left side that allowed sophomore infielder Jonathan Gonzalez to score.
The Maverick six run first inning sparked the team to go out and have fun while playing the game that they love.
“ I love when they have fun as long as they stay focused and don’t get sloppy sometimes that leads to being sloppy but they did a good job this weekend
Stubbings continued to have a big day at the plate. He hit another home run in the third scoring junior outfielder Julian Boyd as well. He went 4-5 with eight RBIs helping CMU clinch the regional and head to the Super Regional tournament.
The Mavericks first baseman talked after the game about how he was seeing the ball well all day.
“Well I mean after last night I felt pretty down because I thought I let the team down not getting the job done with two outs and runners on base but ya know today I just went out there and lets have fun and he hung the slider on the inside corner and I got my hands to it,” Stubbings said.
Out of the Mavericks nine starters in the starting lineup seven of them had three or more hits against the Hilltoppers.
CMU’s designated hitter Haydn McGeary went 5-7 with five RBIs himself. He hit his 31 home run of the season in the third that put the Mavericks up 10-1 as he had runners on in senior infielder Caleb Farmer and outfielder Johnny Carr.
“ I think a lot of us came out with Stubbings’ same approach of just having fun. It is all on the line today. If we go out, let’s go out having fun. I think we play really well when we let loose and have fun and not thinking and over pressurizing situations,” McGeary said.
Senior infielder Chase Hamilton continued to hit into the gaps as he has a solid South Central Regional Tournament outing. He went 4-6 with two RBIs.
CMU turned to their bullpen as they looked to rest their starters and did not want to go to their starters on limited rest.
Senior right handed pitcher Dave Henderson got the starter after closing out the game for the Mavericks the nightcap. He was able to strike out three in the three innings that he pitched for the Mavericks. He gave up two runs on four hits while walking three as well.
“He was our most experienced guy. He started at Pittsburg State last year and had a couple of starts for us this year and he recently had been effective in some extended innings stuff so we thought he was probably the best choice for today’s game,” Hanks said.
Freshman right handed pitcher Cole Seward then came in and threw three more innings for CMU. He gave up three earned runs on seven hits. Junior right handed pitcher Jacob Rhoades pitched two innings before senior left handed pitcher Austin Lorenz came in to close out the game for the Mavericks.
The team will now head to San Angelo, Texas to take on Angelo State University in the best of three Super Regional. The winner will then head to Cary, North Carolina to partake in the Division II College World Series.
