jdredmon@mavs.coloradomesa.edu

Two extra-inning thrillers and two commanding routs made this weekend’s four-game series against Metro State University (13-20, 9-15 RMAC) an interesting one, to say the least.

“The Friday game was tough because we had an early bus ride and it took a while to turn it on, but we were able to and got the win,” senior pitcher Matt Williams said. “We opened up Saturday and scored out of the gates, and then today, we were kind of (mad) about the night before, so they had no chance.”

The series began Friday for the No. 7 ranked Mavericks with a 3-2 win after 10 innings of play when shortstop Nate Robertson equalized the game at two in the ninth. Erik Kozel batted in Jake Kluge for the go-ahead run in the tenth. Aaron Corwin (3-2) picked up the win after pitching the final two innings, allowing only one hit and no runs while striking out five.

Saturday’s first game saw six Mavericks with multiple hits as CMU jumped out to a 13-0 lead after three innings. Williams (4-1) continued his successful 2013 campaign with another complete game to up his innings-pitched tally to a team-leading 59.0, which is also good for fourth in the RMAC.

“As a senior, you just want to be a leader and go as long as you can,” Williams said. “I really wanted to stick it out and save the arms of the relievers.”

The rest proved to be helpful to the relievers for the team’s second extra-inning, 3-2 victory on the weekend as they took the mound and refused to give up any ground. CMU’s Dakota Behr (1-0) notched his first win, and Corwin got his first save of the season after sitting down six of the seven batters they faced.

“It’s probably the most important thing in baseball,” Williams said of the team’s relievers and the effect they have on the game. “It’s definitely a huge advantage for us having a bullpen that can come in like that.”

Keeping in line with the pattern they had set forth, the Mavericks once again followed up their one-run victory with a convincing 16-3 victory to complete the sweep in Denver. CMU scored the first eight runs of the game and then the last eight en route to the 13 run romping.

Kyle Davis (5-0) pitched five innings and allowed only one run in winning his fifth decision in as many starts this year.

Once again, six Mavericks notched multiple hits, with Mitch Corwin and Kluge tallying three a piece. Robertson hit two triples leading to four RBI for his team.

The Mavericks (30-6, 24-2 RMAC) travel to Lakewood this weekend to face Colorado Christian University (6-29, 4-22 RMAC).