Golden, Colo.: The Ranger defense fell apart in a 7-6 loss to Colorado Mines.  The Rangers pounded out 15 hits but committed six errors leading to four unearned runs for the Orediggers.

Colorado Mines (17-17, 15-12 RMAC) scored two runs each in the second and third innings off Regis (15-19, 12-15 RMAC) starter Brad Thoutt.  Thoutt got a no decision after going 5 1/3 innings and scattering eight hits and just three earned runs.

The Rangers offense got on the board in the fourth inning when with two outs and two runners on, defending RMAC Player of the Week Jon Shoutta connected for his fourth homerun of the season to drive in Tony Schicktanz and Logan Knox.

The Rangers trailed 6-4 heading into the seventh when Dylan Navarro led off with a single through the right side.  Two batters later, Tony Piazza singled over pinch runner Jay Rollinson and then Logan Knox came up with a clutch hit, a triple down the right field line to score Piazza and Rollinson to knot the score at six.

The Orediggers opened their half of the ninth with an error by RU third baseman Piazza to put Logan Smith at first.  He was then sacrificed over by Josh Martinez and then an intentional walk and a conventional walk, CSM had the bases loaded with just one out.  A.J. Schillinger hit a ball to Piazza and he went home to get an out but a throwing error gave the Orediggers the 7-6 walkoff win.

The Rangers out-hit the Orediggers 15-6 but were hurt by the six errors to just one for CSM.  Knox went 4-for-5, while Navarro did his job as the leadoff man going 3-for-4.  Piazza, Schicktanz, Shoutta and Justin Hawkins each had two hits with Shoutta driving in three and Knox two.

Kevin Ross was saddled with the loss throwing three innings allowing no hits and one run.

The two teams will play Friday at 6:00 p.m.