The Mavericks forced a winner take all game by winning the first game Saturday but the Mountain Lions walked away with the championship title.
Colorado Mesa University (CMU) scored first against University of Colorado-Colorado Springs (UCCS) as junior infielder Jordan Stubbings doubled to right field as junior outfielder Matt Turner scored on the play.
Each team went scoreless until Evan Richards hit a no doubt home run to right field that tied that game in the sixth inning.
The pitching duel continued as both teams turned to relievers to start the game. The Mavericks gave the ball to sophomore right-handed pitcher Gage Edwards who completely dominated on the mound. Edwards went seven and two third innings and was able to strike out eight while only giving up four hits, one run and walking one.
UCCS sent JJ Rytz to the mound and was able to pitch six innings. He gave up seven of the Mavericks eight hits against the UCCS pitching staff. Creede Jeffers and Hayden Salverda were able to come out of the bullpen and give up one run combined.
In the ninth inning, junior infielder Chase Hamilton walked after battling back to a 3-2 count. Junior infielder Caleb Farmer was able to ground out and move Hamilton over in second. With Hamilton on third after junior outfielder Johnny Carr moved the runner over Hamilton scored on a wild pitch putting the Mavericks up 2-1.
After a walk to Zac Dammel, junior right-handed pitcher Anthony Durbano was able to get the final three outs and the Mavericks and Mountain Lions would play a second game to determine the RMAC tournament champion.
Turner had three of the Mavericks eight hits and was the only batter in the CMU lineup to have a multihit game.
In game two the Mountain Lions capitalized early as they scored fast in the first on three doubles and two singles in the first. The Mavericks were not going to give up without a fight as a Jake Anderson fielding error allowed Turner to score and put the Mavericks on the board.
The Mavericks then had a big second and third inning as in the combined inning they scored seven runs.
Sophomore outfielder Conrad Villafuerte got hit by a pitch to start the inning then showed off his speed with Farmer at the plate. Farmer then singled to left center allowing Villafuerte to score.
On a wild pitch, senior infielder Blaine Demello was able to score. Sophomore catcher Haydn McGeary singled through the left side allowing Turner to score. Stubbings then found another RBI in the tournament as he hit a sacrifice fly to score Carr.
CMU scored three more runs in the third as freshman infielder Harrison Rodgers doubled in his first at bat of the game scoring Hamilton and Villafuerte. Rodgers then scored on a single from Carr.
The Mavericks were then shut down by the Mountain Lions pitching staff until the seventh when Turner hit his 22 home run of the season. Turner finished the season leading all of Division Two baseball in home runs.
UCCS’s bats came alive later in the game as they scored eight runs in the fifth inning and then one in the seventh, two in the eighth and three in the ninth.
With a 18-9 score the Mountain Lions became the champions of the RMAC tournament.
CMU went to their bullpen again starting sophomore right-handed pitcher Isaac Hayen who only lasted an inning giving up the four runs. Senior left-handed pitcher Austin Lorenz who was able to go three and two third innings of relief. The Mavericks then used three more pitchers out of the bullpen.
Even though the Mavericks lost in the championship round of the conference tournament, they will still compete in the South Central Regional Tournament. UCCS, Angelo State and West Texas A&M all made the tournament as well. Angelo State will play host to the tournament.
It was announced Sunday that the Mavericks will be the number one seed in the regional tournament. They will compete against UCCS once again as they got the number four seed in the tournament. Times have yet to be announced when the two teams will play.
