Denver, Colorado- The Regis Baseball team hosted the No. 1 ranked team in the country today in the first of a four-game series. The Rangers made the Mavericks work for every earned run, but unfortunately Colorado Mesa was still able to put their powerful offense to use and came away with the 13-9 victory.

Colorado Mesa started scoring early putting up three runs on the board in the top of the first inning. All three came from an Austin Wallingford home run to left field with two runners already on. Without an answer from the Rangers in the second half of the inning, the Mavericks took the 3-0 lead. 

In the top of the second inning, Colorado Mesa added to their lead with two runs, which included another home run. This time Regis did have an answer in the bottom of the inning scoring three runs. With junior right fielder Brian Sture already on, junior second baseman Drew LaComb singled through the left side and Sture scored the first Ranger run. Next, freshman center fielder John Flint doubled to center to bring in LaComb. Flint would score off of a junior left fielder C.J. McGrady single down the right field line. The Rangers cut in to the Maverick lead and were down just two.

After a scoreless inning in the third, Colorado Mesa added one to their total in the top of the fourth. The score would remain 6-3 through the fifth inning.

The top of the sixth inning saw another three runs from Colorado Mesa, but Regis was able to comeback with three of their own in the bottom half. Both freshman catcher Christian Bitar and first baseman Andrew Bryniarski would reach home as well as LaComb.

As it looked like the Rangers were right back into the game, the Mavericks extended their lead to seven with a four run inning during the seventh. The Rangers put themselves back in reaching distance with a two run eighth inning, but could not manage to bring themselves level with Colorado Mesa with just one run in the bottom of the ninth.   

Seven different Rangers scored for the home side with LaComb leading the pack crossing the plate three times. LaComb hit 2-3 and contributed two RBIs. Flint also went 2-3 scoring once and driving in three RBIs. Sophomore Nick DiPaola started on the mound and was dealt the fourth loss of his season.

Tomorrow the Rangers and Mavericks will meet up for a double-header scheduled for 12 and 3 p.m. Sunday the series will wrap up with a game four set for noon.