Denver, Colo.: New Mexico Highlands jumped on Regis starter Aaron Harms early for three runs in each of the first two innings and went on to beat the Rangers 8-3 in the first game of the four-game series.

Tyler Hayes got hit by Harms, who lost is first game of the season after winning four, then struckout Jordan Guliet before Cory Falvey came to the plate.  Harms got Falvey to hit a ball at shortstop Cody Hastings that looked like a taylor-made double play but the ball took a wicked hop and it hit Hastings in the face and both runners were safe.

New Mexico Highlands (17-14, 13-8 RMAC) took advantage when Jarred Middleton hit a double to right center that drove in two runs.  NMHU scored one more in the first.

Regis' (16-7, 11-6 RMAC) first two hitters, Nick Billinger and Hastings each hit singles to threaten early.  Tony Piazza scored Billinger from first on a 1-3 putout.  Steven Brault then hit a ball to right field which drove in Hastings.  Brault was hustling out of the box and when right fielder Middleton was a little too non-chalant getting the ball back into the infield Brault slid into second with a double.

Highlands' starter Oscar Almeida stopped the run by striking out Willy Gustin and Tony Schicktanz.  The Cowboys scored three more in the second inning to take a 6-2 lead.  Regis got one back in the fourth when Ty Overboe doubled to left field scoring Schicktanz.

That would be all the scoring for Regis as Almeida and reliever Edgar Vela allowed just two more Regis hits over the final five innings.  NMHU scored two more in the fifth to give them some insurance runs.

Piazza went 2-for-3 with one RBI while Billinger was 2-for-4.  Harms went six innings allowing 12 hits and eight earned runs.  Alec Mielnicki came on over the last three innings scattering three hits and allowing no runs.

The same two teams will play two seven-inning games beginning at noon at the Regis Baseball Field.