Las Vegas, N.M.: Freshman Steven Brault threw a complete game shutout in the nightcap of today's doubleheader with New Mexico Highlands in just his second collegiate start. He was proceeded by junior Steve Falconi's complete game victory as the Rangers have now taken three in a row from the Cowboys and given head coach Dan McDermott his 600th career win.
Regis (5-4, 3-0 RMAC) has yet to go to their bullpen in the first three games as they look to sweep the four-game series. Falconi got off to a rough start as he allowed four runs in the first inning, with three of them coming from a homerun by New Mexico Highlands (4-6, 0-3 RMAC). The Cowboys tacked on another in the second but Falconi settled down to scatter just four hits the rest of the way and no runs.
Trailing 5-0 entering the fourth inning, the Ranger offense woke up and scored four runs to cut the Cowboy lead to one. All four runs were scored with two outs and the first two were a reslut of two passed balls. Junior Dave Holland provided the other two with a two-run blast over the right field fence.
Two innings later RU took the lead for good scoring two runs. A double by senior Aaron Salvucci scored junior Ty Lain from first base with one out. Salvucci then crossed the plate three batters later with Brault singling through the left side.
The Rangers got two insurance runs in the seventh inning scoring on yet another passed ball and Holland driving in yet another run, this time on a single.
Holland went 3-for-4 at the plate with three RBIs, while Salvucci, Lain, and freshman Jon Shoutta each went 2-for-4 and each scored two runs. Salvucci drove in two runs.
Falconi improves to 2-1 on the season allowing just nine hits, walking just three and striking out two.
Game 1 boxscore
The Rangers were only able to muster three hits in game two, but that is all Brault needed as he stymied the Cowboy offense. He scattered seven hits, struck out one and allowed just one walk.
The game was scoreless for the first five innings before sophomore Wes Keelan walked with one out and senior Zach Blakeley doubled to centerfield to score Keelan. Blakeley then scored when Shoutta hit a ball to centerfield that was misplayed and extended the inning. Two batters later, Lain had a similar play, an error by the rightfielder allowed Shoutta to score the Rangers third run of the inning.
Blakeley supplied 67 percent of the Ranger hits going 2-for-2 at the plate with the lone Ranger RBI. Holland also had a hit for the Rangers.
With the game two victory Head Coach Dan McDermott notched his 600th career victory including his 255th as the Regis head man. McDermott had 345 wins at Briar Cliff (IA) from 1989-97 where up till this season was the winningest coach at both Briar Cliff and Regis.
Game 2 boxscore
The two teams will finish the four-game series with a single nine-inning game on Sunday.
