In the first doubleheader of the weekend, the Mavericks faced their first doubleheader sweep of the season.
Colorado Mesa University (CMU) played at their new on campus stadium in Bergman Field on Feb.25. They were up against a very talented Northwest Nazarene University (NNU) team.
In game one, senior designated hitter Haydn McGeary broke the record for most career home runs in a Mavericks uniform (44) only one week after he tied the record against Montana State University- Billings. McGeary’s home run came in the sixth inning followed by another home run from the senior in the eighth.
Even though CMU was consistent with the bats in the first half of the game. NNU’s five run sixth inning and two run ninth inning edged them out over the Mavericks.
Grant Kerry started the scoring for the Nighthawks as he hit a solo home run to left field. Haden Keller then got in on the action as he hit a three run home run to right center field. A throwing error by senior third baseman Caleb Farmer allowed Walker Moore to score.
Kerry would hit another home run in the ninth but this time with a runner on the base paths.
While the Nighthawks capitalized on being able to hit the long back, CMU was able to play the short and long game.
CMU got off to a solid start in the first inning as sophomore infielder Harrison Rodgers singled allowing senior outfielder Matthew Turner to score. In the third, senior infielder Chase Hamilton responded to Salsmans home run with a sacrifice fly allowing Farmer to score. Senior infielder Jordan Stubbings was able to find something to drive into the outfield and singled to left and McGeary scored.
Turner and Farmer were able to find productivity in the top two spots of the lineup as Farmer doubled, scoring Turner in the fourth. Turner was able to outrun a dropped third strike call on a passed ball letting Bramwell score.
CMU did not score again until the two McGeary home runs in the later innings.
Down 9-7, Stubbings came up to bat trying to extend the game for CMU. He was able to hit a home run to right center but it was not enough for the Mavericks to win and lost 9-8 in game one.
CMU could not find their timing at the plate in game two. They were only able to collect five hits through seven innings and collected no runs.
Sophomore left handed pitcher Kanon Handy went six innings in game two and was able to get out of two loaded bases jams. In the first inning, Best was caught stealing home as Bramwell was able to get the ball to Handy for the tag.
The Mavericks and the Nighthawks will play another doubleheader on Feb.26 starting at 11:30 a.m.
