Grand Junction, Colo.: (By Dylan Docker) The Regis baseball team headed west to take on the Mavericks of Colorado Mesa University on Friday afternoon. The Rangers (10-11, 5-8) could not open the four-game series with a win as the Mavericks (16-7, 10-3) claimed a 7-2 win in front of their home crowd. 

Senior right-hander Charlie Henderson took the mound for the Rangers. Colorado Mesa gave the ball to right-handed junior Nolan Snell. 

The Mavericks led 2-0 until the fourth inning when senior third baseman Dave Holland put the Rangers on the board with an RBI single. Junior shortstop Cody Hastings later tied the game with a sacrifice fly.

Colorado Mesa retook the lead with a run in the home half of the fourth inning, then opened up a permanent lead with four runs in the fifth.    

Sophomore righty Kevin Ross pitched a scoreless eighth inning after relieving Henderson, but the Regis offense could not figure out the Colorado Mesa starter.

The Mavericks picked up the win with seven runs on 14 hits and one error. The Rangers scored two runs on eight hits and no errors. Snell (5-1) was credited with the win after pitching eight innings, allowing two runs and striking out eight. Henderson (2-2) took the loss with seven runs allowed and three strikeouts in seven innings of work.

Sophomore designated hitter Tony Piazza went 2-for-4 with a walk and a run scored in Friday's game. Junior second baseman Nick Billinger also picked up two hits in five plate appearances.

The Rangers and Mavericks will continue their series tomorrow, March 24 with a doubleheader in Grand Junction. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. Game two is scheduled to begin at approximately 3:00 p.m.