The Mavericks climbed back to the top of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) standings as they beat Regis University (RU) 11-5 on April.14.
Coming into the weekend series, it looked like this would be the weekend that could start shaping the conference regular season title. The Rangers were the number one seed with Colorado Mesa University (CMU) in the number two spot.
The Mavericks posted eight runs in the bottom half of the first inning. Three of the Mavericks’ runs came on walks as Justin Kleinsorge could not locate the strike zone early in the game.
Senior outfielder Johnny Carr singled allowing senior infielders Spencer Bramwell and Caleb Farmer to score. Sophomore infielder Harrison Rodgers then stepped up to the plate and drove the ball to the opposite field for a two run home run.
Rodgers home run was his tenth of the season making him the third Maverick to have double digit home runs this season, alongside McGeary and Farmer.
The Rangers were able to get on the board in the third as Colten Chase grounded out allowing Austin Vaught to score. With Zach Daudet on third, Roger Riley put the ball in play as he was able to hit a sacrifice fly to center field. Levi Padilla then singled, scoring Matt Marlow to give RU their third run of the game.
The scoring did not stop there for the Rangers, Colten Chase then got his second RBI of the game as he grounded out to Rodgers at second base allowing Kyle Koontz to score.
Wanting to extend their lead, senior infielder Chase Hamilton came through with an RBI double that scored junior outfielder Conrad Villafuerte and advanced Rodgers to third. Rodgers then was able to come home as Farmer hit a sacrifice fly to right field.
The Rangers scored one more run as Chase stole third and then scored on a throwing error by Farmer.
Carr singled in the eighth inning through the left side as senior infielder Jordan Stubbings slid in to home to score the Mavericks 11 run.
Sophomore left-handed pitcher Kannon Handy got the start for the Mavericks and was consistent through six innings. Even though he gave up the four runs on four hits, Handy was able to predominantly find the strike zone and mix his pitches to strike out five.
Junior right-handed pitcher Josh Danyliw picked up the save out of the bullpen as he threw three innings and only gave up one run.
The Mavericks and Rangers will meet again tomorrow at Bergman Field for a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m.
