The Colorado Mesa University baseball team racked up 18 hits in a 10-2 win in the first game of a four-game set against the UCCS Mountain Lions today.
The Mavericks were lead by Bligh Madris as he hit for the cycle while going 4-5 on the afternoon. His two RBI’s came on a two-run shot in the top of the 7th inning.
The Mavericks took an early 4-0 lead before the Mountain Lions struck back in the bottom of the 3rd, 4th and 5th inning.
JR McDermott started for the Mavericks and went 5.0 innings while allowing eight hits and five earned runs before being pulled for Eli Thornquist. McDermott struck out eight batters but gave up three home runs.
The Mountain Lions took a three-run lead when Thornquist gave up a two-run home run to Tyler Matheny. The home run put the Mountain Lions up 8-5.
“We had the 4-0 lead and we actually had opportunities to extend that but didn’t do it,” manager Chris Hanks said, “and when they closed that gap with the home runs and tied it, it made us tight for an inning or two.”
After a Kyle Serrano double in the 7th, Garrett Ball flew out and Serrano advanced to third where he eventually came around to score on Madris’ two-run home run.
PJ Gonzalez singled and then stole second base to set up the tying run. Josh Shapiro singled to right field to tie the game at 8-8.
After a scoreless 8th inning Madris lead of the 9th with a triple giving the Mavericks an opportunity to take the lead. After Gonzalez was hit by a pitch a throwing error by the Mountain Lions’ catcher Jamie Crabtree allowed Madris to come home and give the Mavericks a 9-8 lead.
“He’s just competing hard so his contribution to our club is obvious in a lot of facets so we’ll just try to keep him going,” Hanks said, “Bligh was a catalyst, his triple was a big part of that.”
Andrew Contreras moved Gonzalez to third after a ground out. Gonzalez scored on a balk by pitcher Joe Slocum to give the Mavericks their 10th run of the game.
Brick Paskiewicz pitched 2.0 innings for the Mavericks and received his second win on the year (2-0). He faced eight batters and struck out five while allowing no hits and walking two.
“Brick’s best asset is his competitiveness. I think he just outcompeted them…he was in such good rhythm that we decided to at least start the 9th off with him,” Hanks said.
The Mavericks improved to 12-6 (5-0 RMAC) on the year. They will continue their series against the Mountain Lions tomorrow at 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. Chris Ramirez and Kyle Leahy are slated to take the mound.
Full stats here.
