The Mavericks opened up their series with the Adams State University Grizzlies in a big way as the bats were rolling in a 12-3 victory.
Even though senior Caleb Farmer had one hit on the day, it was a big one as he hit a three run home run in the fourth that scored seniors Chase Hamilton and Matthew Turner. The home run gave the Mavericks the momentum they needed at the plate the rest of the day.
The Grizzlies got the scoring started though as Orlando Romero was able to drive a pitch over the head of Turner in right field in the second.
Hamilton was able to drive in multiple runs for CMU. He got his team on the board in the second as he doubled down the left field line into the corner scoring senior Jordan Stubbings and junior Conrad Villafuerte. Hamilton would then advance on a wild pitch later in the inning.
Mike Bathauer then singled to score Jace Wytulka in the third. The Grizzlies would not score again until the ninth when Matt Bathauer hit a home run to right field.
Colorado Mesa University (CMU) gained control of the game in the first half as they started to figure out Alfredo Villa.
A series of errors in the third scored junior Haydn McGeary as well as advancing Villafuerte on the base paths. The home run by Farmer was the next time CMU scored in the game.
In an inning that was over an hour long due to a lighting/rain delay, the Mavericks were able to plate five in the sixth. Turner was able to score on a throwing error by the Grizzlies third baseman. The play started with a bunt from Farmer.
Stubbings then was able to single through the gap into right field allowing McGeary to advance to second. Another big hit came from Villafuerte as he doubled allowing McGeary to score allowing CMU to get to double digits on the scoreboard. Stubbings and Villafuerte were also able to score for the team in the sixth.
The Mavericks turned to junior Blake Rohm on the mound and even though he gave up the home run in the second, he locked in and got his job done. He finished the day going five innings and having seven strikeouts.
A trio of Maverick relievers came in as senior Austin Lorenz got the ball right before the rain delay. Only going one inning he was still able to strike out two of the five batters he faced.
There was a new face in junior David Reckers on the mound for the seventh and eighth innings. Reckers was able to rely on his defense as a majority of his outs were groundouts or flyouts. Jacob Rhoades got the call to close out the chilly game for the Mavericks and he got the job done.
The Mavericks and Grizzlies will play again on Mar. 5 in Grand Junction, Colo. as they take part in a doubleheader that will begin at 11:30 a.m.
