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Box Score 2 Denver, Colorado- The Regis Baseball team had two chances today to split or even win the four-game series with No. 13 CSU-Pueblo Thunderwolves. A late game rally in game one looked promising for the Rangers, but ultimately CSU-Pueblo was favored 7-4. In game two Regis was within two runs of the Thunderwolves half way through, but, again, the Rangers simply could not produce enough offense to catch up. CSU-Pueblo won game two by a score of 7-2 and the series 3-1.
Starting the first game, sophomore Nick DiPaola kept the CSU-Pueblo offense relatively quiet through two innings of work. DiPaola allowed just one hit in innings one and two; he even picked off Manny Menocal at first base as pay back for the allowed hit. Then in the top of the fourth inning CSU-Pueblo exploded for four runs; most of that damage was from a bases clearing triple by Mike Wagner. CSU-Pueblo would extend their lead in the top of the fourth, 5-0, with just a single run.
In the bottom half of the fourth is when the Rangers began to fight back. Senior third baseman Logan Knox took a quick stroll down the first base line after being walked. Shortly after, freshman first baseman Andrew Bryniarski reached first on a single through the left side, which also pushed Knox over to third. Freshman right fielder Connor Rochon's single over to third base scored Knox and Bryniarski made his way to second. In a bizarre play, Bryniarski stole third and scored on a throwing error by the shortstop. Rochon reached second on that play and eventually home when freshman catcher Christian Bitar doubled into left field. The Rangers cut the CSU-Pueblo lead to just two at 5-3.
Yet momentum can come and go very quickly and CSU-Pueblo took it back in the top of the fifth. With an additional two runs, the Thunderwolves were back to a comfortable 7-3 lead. After coming in to relieve DiPaola, freshman Noah Gotsis shut down the Thunderwolves allowing no more scoring and ensuring his team at least a chance to level out the scoreboard.
Chances were running out as Regis couldn't score in innings five through eight, and the bottom of the ninth was their last one. Bitar got things going with a single; sophomore John Mulhern came in as pinch runner. Junior second baseman Drew LaComb knock another single into play reaching first and moving Mulhern to second. With two, freshman center fielder John Flint scorched a fast one through the left side and scored Mulhern. Junior left fielder C.J. McGrady's single moved LaComb to third, but at the cost of Flint for out number two. Freshman shortstop Mickey Meinhofer was the last Ranger to put the ball in play and it was for a ground out to the second baseman ending the rally and game at 7-4.
Game two saw went along much of the same story line with CSU-Pueblo scoring first. In the top of the third inning, the Thunderwolves put two on the board. They did the same in the top of the fourth before Regis answered. In the bottom of the fourth inning, junior catcher Marco Burciaga and junior third baseman Ryan Benedict scored off of a LaComb single up the middle.
The three runs scored in the top of the fifth inning by CSU-Pueblo were the last of the game ending the game at 7-2.
Both DiPaola and junior starter Kirby Schwein were handed losses today; DiPaola his fifth and Schwein his third. Seven separate Rangers scored once during the two games.
Regis will travel to Colorado Mines for a quick game on Tuesday night at 6 p.m. The Rangers' next series will be next weekend as they host the Adams St. Grizzles April 20th-22nd. On Friday, the first pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. A double-header is set for Saturday at 12 and 3 p.m. Lastly, Sunday's match-up will begin at noon.