Baker Geist

Sports Reporter

 

 

The Mesa State Mavericks and Metro State Roadrunners are two teams heading in different directions. 

Mesa State is a young team, losing 16 seniors from a year ago. Metro State has the advantage of experience, playing with 10 seniors and 16 juniors. Considering that fact, Mesa State matched up well with Metro State splitting a four-game series over the weekend at Suplizio Field.

Mesa State (4-6, 1-2 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) got off to a strong start on Friday. Mesa State shortstop Colton Little put the Mavs on the board in the top of the second hitting a sacrifice fly to left, which scored Marty Rover. Center fielder Brian Bello extended Mesa State’s lead hitting an RBI single. At the end of the second Mesa State led 2-0.

In the top half of the third, Metro State battled back tying the game at two all. The Mavs took the game back in the bottom of the inning after a Greg Anderson single scored Chase Moore who worked his way to third after drawing a walk to lead off the inning. 

The Mavericks took the lead in the bottom of the fourth 4-2 and held it until the 7th inning. During that time, Mesa State pitcher Scott Bachman was tough to handle, allowing just one hit in three innings. 

Bachman’s performance wouldn’t be good enough to secure a win though. Despite leaving with the lead in the 8th, Mesa State’s bullpen faltered. Ahead 7-4 in the top of the ninth, Metro State’s bats came through. The Roadrunners scored five runs in the inning to get a game one victory 9-7. Bachman earned a no decision, sophomore pitcher Jack Amidei was charged with the loss. 

“When a pitcher pitches that good he doesn’t deserve to lose,” Mesa State shortstop Justin Little said of Bachman’s performance. “Scott’s a great pitcher … the loss definitely gave us motivation to play hard the next day.”

Mesa State did just that Saturday handily winning 11-3. A number of players came through offensively for the Mavericks. Rover went two for five with three RBIs. Mesa State’s catcher Brett Nigber created traffic on the base path all afternoon, scoring three runs for Mesa State.

For the second consecutive game, the Mavericks got a good effort from their starting pitcher. Sophomore Kyle Davis pitched a solid six innings striking out three to earn his first win of the year.

Game two of the doubleheader was a closely contested and somewhat controversial contest. In the top of the sixth, Mesa State held a 6-4 advantage. With runners aboard Tommy Frikken for Metro State was at the plate. Frikken dropped down a bunt and was called out. Immediately after being called out, the umpires said Frikken fouled the ball. Frikken then reached on a fielder’s choice and the inning was extended. After scoring a run, Metro took the lead on a Mike Coffey three-run homerun. At the end of the sixth, Metro had an 8-6 lead.

Metro State (5-5, 2-1 RMAC) didn’t hang on to the lead for long. In the bottom of the sixth, Mesa State tied the game at eight a piece. In the top of the seventh, Metro State broke the tie in emphatic fashion.

After Mesa State reliever Derek Riley allowed a walk and a single, Amidei was called to relieve him. Amidei’s first-pitch fastball was crushed by centerfielder Chris Redding for a three-run home run. The long ball was enough to give Metro the win 11-9.

“Obviously it’s never a good feeling to come in and give up a big homerun after your team has worked hard all day,” Amidei said about the loss. “It hurt a little bit but the only thing we can do is pick up and move on.”

Game four was a day of redemption for Mesa State as the Mavericks put up a football like score winning 33-7.

“(Head coach Chris Hanks) said the way we played this weekend took a lot of courage,” Little said. “We really came together as a team.”

Little also said that the team expects to go through some rough spots like they did this weekend, but said the upperclassmen leaders who are referred to as the “heart of the order” have held the team together.

Amidei agrees and is excited about how the team gelled in game four.

“I think what this weekend shows is how we came together as a family and we had each others back through some rough times. Our offense played great today.” Amidei said. “If we continue that against New Mexico Highlands we’ll be alright.”

Mesa State will see what they can do against New Mexico Highlands this Friday when they travel to Las Vegas, N.M. for a four-game set.

 

 

bgeist@mesastate.edu