The opening of the 2012 season took the CMU baseball team to Phoenix for a weekend series against the ‘Lopes of Grand Canyon University.

RMAC Preseason Pitcher of the Year Nolan Snell took the mound for the Mavericks. After a couple of early walks, Snell settled down and was able to secure a 3-2 win. Snell held the ‘Lopes to one run on four hits while striking out seven and walking six in his five innings of work.

The Mavs struck first in the second inning when catcher Colton Schoelkopf had an RBI double and later scored on a wild pitch. Schoelkopf finished 1-3 and senior Jeff Popick went 3-4 with a run. Benham picked up the save, going 2.2 innings, allowing one hit and striking out five, sealing the 3-2 win for the Mavericks.

On Saturday, the Mavs and ‘Lopes squared off in a doubleheader. CMU dropped the first game of the day 4-2, but recovered in the second game with a 4-2 victory of their own.

In the first game, CMU struggled at the plate, only squeaking out two runs on seven hits all within the first four innings. First baseman Dustin Fackrell was able to give the Mavs the early lead with an RBI single up the middle in the first inning but that was quickly answered by a ‘Lopes two-run homerun in the bottom of the frame. After tying the game 2-2 in the third, Grand Canyon was once again able to take the lead off another homerun.

Starting pitcher Jared Christensen went five complete innings, allowing three runs on six hits and walking three while also striking out three in the 4-2 loss.

In game two of the day the score stayed tied at 0-0 through the first four and a half innings, until Grand Canyon was able to score in both the fifth and sixth inning, giving them the 2-0 advantage.

The Mavs were able to capitalize on a few Grand Canyon errors, scoring two unearned runs in the seventh inning to tie the game. In the top of the ninth, junior Tim Fowler delivered a two-out double down the right field line, scoring Tamatoa Demello and Braden Box, giving the Mavs a 4-2 lead going into the bottom of the ninth. Reliever Tim Moore was able to shut down the ‘Lopes and earn the 4-2 victory in 3.2 scoreless innings.

Jeff Popick kept his hot bat going, ending up with two hits in four at-bats after going 2-2 earlier in the day as well.

Sunday wrapped up the four game series with the Mavs losing 10-9 in another tight game. The Mavs and ‘Lopes split the weekend series 2-2.

“I feel like we played and competed well this whole weekend,” Snell said. “It felt great to get back on the field and show what we could do.”

The Mavs make their home debut against UC-San Diego this Friday at 2 p.m. at Suplizio Field.