DENVER, Colo. -  The Regis University baseball team (3-1, 0-0 RMAC) had the first game of their home-opening series against the University of Nebraska-Kearney Lopers (0-5, 0-0 MIAA) on Friday afternoon and continued their success, pounding the Lopers 12-4.

In the first inning of the game, UNK jumped out to a 1-0 lead on a leadoff double from the Lopers. A ground ball and an error allowed the visitors to push one run across the board in their half of the first inning. 

In the bottom of the fourth, Regis took a 2-1 lead with a single to left field from senior Dylan Navarro (3-5, 3 RBI's, 1 R), scoring senior Drew LaComb (2-4, 2B, 2 RBI's, 3 R) from third, and sophomore Connor Rochon (2-2, BB, 1 R) from second base.

It was the fifth inning where the Rangers did the most damage, compiling a six-runs behind run-scoring singles from Navarro, senior Brian Sture (2-4, 2 RBI's), and sophomore Mickey Meinhofer (1-4, 1 RBI). After five innings of play, RU held an 8-1 advantage.

Regis added three more runs in the bottom of the sixth with back-to-back doubles from LaComb and senior Ty Overboe (1-4, 3RBI's). After another run in the seventh, the Rangers held a solid 12-3 lead heading into the final inning of play. The Lopers scratched out a single run in the ninth on a homerun, but senior Nick DiPaola was able to shut down UNK without any more harm.

Sophomore Brad Thoutt collected his second win of the season, throwing six innings, giving up two earned runs, and striking out six Loper batters. Seniors Jake Long, and Will Waterman pitched in the seventh and eighth innings respectively, with Dipaola closing out the ninth. RU outhit UNK 15-10 on the day.

The Regis University baseball team and University of Nebraska-Kearney will play game two of the series tomorrow February 20 at noon with the final game being held on Sunday, February 21 also at noon. All home events are streamed live and in High Definition by clicking on the Stretch Internet tab at www.regisrangers.com.