The Mavericks bats came alive against Montana State University-Billings (MSUB) as they got two wins Friday afternoon.
Colorado Mesa University (CMU) competed in a doubleheader where the team combined for 32 runs.
Sophomore catcher Haydn McGeary hit one of three Maverick homeruns in the first game. McGeary’s homerun started the day off for CMU and a five run second inning for the team.
McGeary continued to keep his rhythm at the plate as he went 3-5 in the first game. He had three runs batted in (RBI) and a double.
The Mavericks had back to back home runs in the third inning. Junior catcher Spencer Bramwell and freshman second baseman Harrison Rodgers both took Dylan Barkley to right field giving the Mavericks a seven run lead.
The CMU lineup got to Barkley early and did not look back as they kept their lead the entire game. Barkley only pitched three innings as he gave up seven hits, 10 earned runs and only had two strikeouts.
On the base paths the Mavericks played aggressively and took advantage of the wild pitches thrown by the MSUB pitching staff. The Mavericks also capitalized on errors made in the field by the Yellowjackets.
The Mavericks found control on the mound today as well. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Andrew Morris started the game off a little shaky but quickly got out of a jam to start off the game.
Morris ended the day after throwing 91 pitches, nine strikeouts and had two earned runs through four innings.
The four relief pitchers that pitched for the Mavericks combined for eight strikeouts, four walks and nine earned runs.
The Yellowjackets tried to come back and made it interesting there in the seventh when they scored five runs. They then scored two more runs in the ninth but that would not be enough. The Mavericks would hang on to win the first of two games against MSUB 11-15.
Senior right-handed pitcher Trevin Reynolds took control of the second game on the field for the Mavericks. Right out of the gate, Reynolds executed his pitches right where he needed them to be. He knew that he could trust his defense and was able to pitch for contact.
Reynolds found trouble in the first when Tanner Cantwell hit a two run home run with Daniel Cipriano on base. He got out of the inning with only that homerun on the board and the Mavericks were able to respond in the bottom half of the inning.
Reynolds pitched six out of the seven innings for the Mavericks. Throughout the six innings he threw 103 pitches, had nine strikeouts and only five earned runs.
Sophomore outfielder Tanner Garner got things started for CMU as he homered to left field on a 1-1 count. Junior first baseman Jordan Stubbings singled later in the inning to score Rodgers to tie this one up early.
CMU would go through the whole nine batter line up in the first. Garner had another big at bat in the inning. He would move his runners up with a bunt down the third base line with two outs. The three were stranded as Rodgers struck out swinging.
Stubbings went 3-4 with four RBIs and two runs scored. Junior shortstop Chase Hamilton went 3-3 and made an impact on the base paths for the Mavericks as well.
The Mavericks took the second game 5-17 on 19 hits.
CMU looks for redemption against Northwest Nazarene University on Feb. 27 at noon in Grand Junction, Colo.
