Box Score Golden, Colo.: (By Dylan Docker) Regis celebrated Good Friday in style with a doubleheader sweep over the Orediggers (11-16, 10-13 RMAC) of Colorado School of Mines. The Rangers (15-16, 10-13 RMAC) put on a slugfest at Jim Darden Field, claiming both seven-inning contests with five home runs combined and solid performances from the two starting pitchers.
Game One – Regis 7, School of Mines 5
Senior right-hander Mike McElreath took the ball for Regis in the day game. Mines countered with red-shirt freshman Ben Gilman.
The Orediggers grabbed an early 1-0 lead in the first inning, but the Rangers answered with a pair of runs in the top of the second. Junior shortstop Cody Hastings and junior second baseman Nick Billinger each collected RBI singles in the inning, powering the Regis offense as they did in yesterday's game.
Regis broadened their lead with a pair of unearned runs in the third inning, but Mines tied the game at four in the home half by stringing together four hits.
The Orediggers notched the go-ahead tally in the sixth inning, prompting the home bench to bring in their closer. Sophomore righty Eric Shannon entered the game to record the final three outs, relieving Gilman after six innings.
The Rangers were on the verge of dropping their second straight game, but sophomore first baseman Jon Shoutta provided some late heroics for the visitors. With a runner on base and two outs, Shoutta launched a two-run homer over the center field wall, giving Regis a 6-5 lead in the seventh.
Junior catcher Nano Jacobsen added insult to injury by taking a 3-2 pitch over the left-center field wall. With his first home run of the year, Jacobsen set up the save opportunity for Hunter Aronson.
Aronson, who has settled in as the Rangers' regular closer, allowed a pair of base runners but ultimately nailed down the 7-5 victory.
Regis scored seven runs on 11 hits and an error in the afternoon win. Mines fell with five runs on nine hits and three errors. The three-run seventh inning put McElreath (5-2) back in line for the win after six innings pitched, five runs allowed, and four strikeouts. Shannon (1-2) took the loss after allowing the three decisive runs in his one inning of work. Aronson (4) was credited with the save for Regis.
Shoutta finished 2-for-3 with two RBI's, three runs scored, and a walk. He leads the Rangers with six home runs on the season.
Billinger, Jacobsen, and sophomore designated hitter Tony Piazza each finished with two hits in four at-bats.
Game Two – Regis 19, School of Mines 0
Right-handed junior Kyle Mack got the start for Regis in the nightcap. Sophomore righty Peter Herrin got the start for the Orediggers.
Herrin put himself in a hole in the first inning, walking the first two hitters he faced on eight straight pitches before allowing an RBI single to Piazza.
The Mines starter then faced John Tosches with the bases loaded and only one out, but Tosches promptly unloaded them with a grand slam over the left field wall. The sophomore right fielder's first home run of the season put the Rangers on top 5-0 and chased Herrin after only one inning.
The Regis offense continued to steal the show throughout the night, highlighted by Tosches' second home run of the night in the third inning and a solo shot from senior left fielder Alex Haag in the fourth. The homer was Haag's fourth of the season.
The Rangers scored six times and batted around in the sixth inning, then put up another four runs in the seventh to bury the Orediggers at home.
Regis claimed Saturday's nightcap with 19 runs on 18 hits and no defensive errors. Mines scored no runs on four hits and four errors in the loss. Lost among the offensive onslaught was a suburb effort by Mack (2-3), who pitched all seven innings with no runs allowed and eight strikeouts to claim the win. Herrin (2-2) took the loss for Mines after allowing five runs (four earned) in one inning of work.
Tosches had a career night for the Rangers, going 4-for-4 with a walk, six RBI's, and four runs scored. Haag finished with two hits, three RBI's, and two runs scored in six plate appearances.
Jacobsen collected a pair of RBI's on a hit and walk, while Billinger, Piazza, Shoutta, and freshman second baseman Logan Knox all collected single RBI's.
The Rangers will conclude their series with the Orediggers tomorrow, April 7 at Jim Darden Field. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.
