Sophomore redshirt designated hitter Haydn McGeary led the Mavericks offense as they won the first game of the South Central Regional tournament
After receiving the first seed in the tournament, Colorado Mesa University faced an opponent they were very familiar with in University of Colorado- Colorado Springs. The two teams faced off for the fourth time in six days and this time the game went in favor of the Mavericks.
McGeary showed why he was named National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Play of the year for division two baseball. McGeary went 2-3 at the plate with six runs batted in (RBI) and two home runs.
On a 1-0 count in the bottom half of the fifth inning and senior outfielder Tyler Parker on base, McGeary popped one up over Walker Rumsey’s head deep at the wall and the Mavericks found themselves back in the ball game.
With the Mavericks back down in the seventh and the bases loaded McGeary came to the plate hoping to help out his team once again. McGeary hit a ball deep into left center field that had the Mavericks up out of the dugout because the Mavericks once again took the lead back from UCCS.
CMU went on to win by a score of 11-9.
The Mountain Lions struck first as they scored four runs in the first two innings. Three of those four runs scored were unearned as the Mavericks defense was not as clean as it usually is.
The Mavericks had a big fifth inning as they were able to take the lead for the first time Thursday afternoon.
“Getting to face them definitely helped and we were locked in from about the 3rd inning on with a much better approach as a team and it allowed us to string hits together which is something we hadn’t been able to do much against them in the RMAC tournament,” McGeary said.
With McGeary and junior infielder Jordan Stubbings on in the fifth, junior catcher Spencer Bramwell was able to lay down a bunt and get over to first base loading the bases. UCCS went for the play at third but after reviewing the play the call on the field remained the same and McGeary was safe.
Sophomore outfielder Conrad Villafuerte came through in a clutch situation as he hit a double through the gap and McGeary and Stubbings scored on the play. Junior infielder Caleb Farmer singled, scoring Bramwell and allowing the Mavericks to take the lead. Freshman infielder Harrison Rodgers grounded out allowing Villafuerte to score.
Junior outfielder Matt Turner extended the Mavericks lead in the sixth as he hit his 23 home run of the season.
The Mountain Lions then attacked in the seventh as Jaeden Hagmann scored on an error by Farmer. The error went down as CMU’s fifth of the day. Aaron Faragallah doubled to left field allowing Jake Anderson to come around and score. The game was now tied for Micheal Bennin in the seventh at seven.
Bennin then hit a two run home run in the seventh that allowed the lead to change again. McGeary then hit the winning runs on the board in the bottom half of the inning.
Sophomore right handed pitcher Andrew Morris was sent to the mound to start off the tournament for the Mavericks and did what he did best and that was to compete.
“The best thing Andrew did today was compete. The umpire had a very tight zone and we didn’t give him much help on defense. Andrew kept his cool and kept competing and gave us a chance to win,” Head Coach Chris Hanks said.
Morris got the job done though as he was able to work seven strong innings. He gave up nine runs on 13 hits to UCCS. Only two of the runs allowed were earned by Morris.
Senior left handed pitcher Austin Lorenz has been someone the Mavericks have been able to rely on in later innings as of late and he was able to get the Mavericks the win. Lorenz worked two and one third innings and gave up zero hits and runs.
The Mavericks will take Foster Field in San Angelo,Tx again as they will play the winner of Angelo State or West Texas A&M. The game will start at 5:30 p.m.
