Feb. 16, 2008

Box Score

DENVER, COLO. - Tyree Abshire's bases-loaded double in the bottom of the fifth helped Metro State rally from a three-run deficit in game one and the Roadrunners went on to sweep Hastings, 8-7 and 12-1, in nonconference baseball action, Saturday afternoon at Auraria Field.

In the opener, Metro State trailed 6-2 going into the bottom of the fourth but Troy Spahn hit a towering home run to cut the lead to three. Then in the bottom of the fifth, the Roadrunners loaded the bases with nobody out after two walks and a single. Abshire then went down the left-field line for a double to clear the bases and Spahn also added an RBI double, and later scored on a wild pitch, to put Metro State on top, 8-6.

Hastings had just three hits in the game but made them count, hitting two home runs. The Broncos went on top, 4-0, in the first inning sending eight men to the plate. Josh Mondragon hit a three-run shot for the big blow. After the Roadrunners cut it to two, 4-2, in the bottom of the second, Joe Jeanjacquet added a two-run shot in the top of the third to give Hastings another four-run advantage, 6-2.

Spahn and Abshire had three RBI each for Metro State, while Mondragon had four RBI for Hastings. Steven Green earned his second win of the year for the Roadrunners, despite giving up six earned runs and walking eight in seven innings. He also struck out nine.

The nightcap was all Roadrunners, as they jumped out to an 11-0 lead after three innings, scoring four in the first, six in the second and another in the third. Hastings starter Bryant McCann did not get an out in the second inning, surrendering eight runs and eight hits. Reece Gorman had a two-run double in the first and an RBI single in the second, while Jake Palmer connected for an RBI double in the second.

Armando Casas pitched well, giving up one run and five hits in seven innings. He also struck out six.

Gorman had four hits and three RBI, while Palmer posted three RBI and Eric Mansfield had three hits and an RBI for Metro State. Gavin Rodriguez had two hits for Hastings.

With the sweep, Metro State improves to 3-2 overall, while Hastings falls to 2-3 overall. These two teams are scheduled to play a second doubleheader Sunday beginning at 11 a.m.