The Mavericks offense comes alive on Opening Day. 

While it may not be Opening Day in Grand Junction, Colo. quite yet, the Colorado Mesa University (CMU) baseball team dominated over Azusa Pacific University (APU) in their first game of the 2022 season. 

Sophomore second baseman Harrison Rodgers had a big game as he hit three home runs and had six runs batted in (RBI). He ended the evening going a perfect 4-4 with one walk. 

He was not the only Maverick to have a big first game at the plate as senior third baseman Caleb Farmer went 3-4 with six RBIs himself. Farmer had a grand slam that was part of CMUs 12 run seventh inning. That was also his second home run of the game.  

There was another Maverick who was able to get behind the ball and drive one over the wall and that was junior catcher/designated hitter Haydn McGeary. McGeary went 3-5 with three RBIs. McGeary’s home run in the top of the fourth inning was a three run home run to center field. Farmer and Turner scored on the play. 

Six of the Mavericks starters had a multi hit game. Rodgers and senior outfielder Matt Turner both led the Mavericks with four hits in CMUs 28-4 win. 

CMU went with the senior southpaw Ryan Day as their starter against APU. Day showed a strong first outing as the only runs he gave up was on a three run home run that barely missed its location. He went a strong five innings and struck out six while only giving up seven hits. 

Redshirt junior pitcher Blake Rohm played the mid-relief role as he went two innings in his Maverick debut. Junior Gage Edwards and freshman Kyle Miller then rounded out the Mavericks bullpen on their first day of competition. 

CMU and APU will meet three more times this weekend as they compete in a doubleheader late afternoon on Feb.11. The first game will begin at 3 p.m.