March 17, 2008

Metro State continued its Cinderella run through the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) by sweeping Mesa State last weekend at Auraria Field. The four victories pushed the Roadrunners to 20-4 overall and 12-0 in the RMAC and four games ahead of Mesa State in the division.

"It has been a great start for this team," Roadrunner Head Coach Bobby Pierce said. "It has been a true team effort, we have had a new hero each game and not relied on one aspect of our game to get us through."

Saturday's first game was a slug fest with the two teams combining for 23 runs and 26 hits. Both teams started slowly, scoring just three runs in the first three innings combined. The next three innings would be a different story. The Mavericks struck first in the top of the fourth. Following a pair of singles, Kyle Hogue smacked a triple to centerfield to score two runs. The next batter brought Hogue to the plate on a sacrifice bunt, giving Mesa an early 5-1 lead.

Metro responded in their half of the inning with five runs of their own. The `Runners quickly loaded the bases follwing singles from Josh Marner, Troy Spahn and Matt McConnell. All three base runners advanced 90 feet when Mesa State catcher Grant Vickers allowed a passed ball. Michael Molinar struck out swinging, but advanced to first on a wild pitch and was credited for an RBI when Spahn crossed the plate. Brennan Brown singled to center field to score another run and Reece Gorman had a sacrifice fly to finish the scoring for Metro State.

Matt Miller had a three-run double for Mesa State in the top of the fifth inning to put the Mavericks back on top, 8-6. Again, Metro State responded with five more runs. A three-run single by Spahn highlighted the inning.

Metro entered the seventh inning with a 12-8 lead, but Mesa would not go down quietly. With two outs in the inning, Vickers lined a double to left field to put two on for Hogue. He would come through with a single to left field to score one run. The following two batters also singled to put the Mavericks within one run with runners on first and third. Metro State Head Coach Bobby Pierce inserted pitcher Derek Colbert to get the last out and he got Andrew Martinez to pop up to centerfield to close the victory.

The second game of the day was a sharp contrast to the opener, with strong pitching taking control of the game. Joel Lockhart pitched a complete game allowing just one run and four hits while striking out six. The game entered the bottom of the seventh inning deadlocked at 1-1. The `Runners loaded the bases with just one out for freshman Mike Coffey, who punched a single down the third-base line to score the game-winning run.

Sunday's finale looked like it would finally be Mesa State's turn to earn a victory. The Mavericks scored five runs through the first five innings and held the Roadrunners scoreless. All that changed in the bottom of the seventh inning as Metro came alive for six runs. A pair of singles and a hit by pitch put the bases loaded for Spahn who blasted a triple to left field to score three runs. Another triple by Brennan Brown would give Metro two more runs and the 6-5 advantage. Pitcher Derek Colbert finished off the Mavericks with two solid innings on the mound.

Metro State returns to action Thursday for a 3 p.m. game at Regis University. The Rangers lead the other division of the RMAC with an 8-3 record.

"Regis is playing very well right now," Pierce said. "They have won their first three conference series and are the best hitting team in the conference. We expect this to be a tough series."