DENVER, Colo. – The Regis University baseball team was firing on all cylinders as they finished their home-opening weekend with two wins over Wayne State College (0-4) on Sunday, to improve their overall record to 7-1.

How It Happened | Game 1: Regis got behind early giving up four runs on four hits in the top of the first but answered quickly with seven runs of their own in the bottom half of the inning. Sophomore Coby Zimmerman got the bats started with a lead-off single through the left side. He advanced home on an RBI-double to right-center by senior Chris Kobar.

With two outs in the bottom of the first, the Rangers stayed alive, hitting two homeruns. Senior Zach Dedin launched the first homerun over the right-field wall to score himself and senior Garrett Skillings. The second came off the bat of sophomore Ryan Tierney. Tierney's homer was a three-RBI shot over the right-center wall to give RU a 7-4 lead.

Regis extended their lead to 9-4 after two innings of play. They gave up four hits and three runs to Wayne State in the top of the third and the Rangers edge was cut to 9-7. From then, RU pulled away scoring at least two runs in every inning and holding the Wildcats scoreless.

Three runs crossed home plate for Regis in the bottom of the third. Two batters were hit by a pitch and one was walked to load the bases without recording a hit. With three ducks on the pond, senior Andrew Bryniarski unloaded and sent the ball over the right-field wall for the Rangers first grand slam of the season.

RU scored two runs in the fourth, three in the fifth and capped the game with five in the sixth.

Game Notes | Game 1: Regis recorded 23 runs on an impressive 23 hits in game one and seven batters accounted for multiple hits. Bryniarski and Dedin led the way, both going 3-4 from the plate. Bryniarski tied a career-high with six RBI's on one homerun and one double. He scored four runs. Dedin had a career-high four RBI's on a double and a homerun. Skillings added three hits and three RBI's (career-high). Junior Connor Rochon, Kobar, Zimmerman and junior Logan Heflebower were all able to get two hits in the game. Six other Rangers recorded a single hit.

RU set a school record for the most runs batted in in a single game with 23.

Junior Matt Heibult (1-1) was awarded the win after throwing three complete innings and striking out five batters. He didn't allow a single hit.

How It Happened | Game 2: Again, Regis fell behind after giving up a run in the opening inning, but this time it was just one. Down 1-0, the Rangers weren't able to find an answer until the third inning. Tierney got on base by drawing a walk and advanced to second on an infield single by Heflebower. Rochon followed-up with a two-RBI triple to center field to give RU a 2-1 advantage.

Regis added to their lead in the bottom of the fourth by scoring two more runs. Skillings started the inning with a solo shot to left field. The second run came with bases loaded. Sophomore Kennedy Phillips reached base after being beamed by a pitch and freshman Thomas Alexander reached on a fielder's choice. Tierney also got hit by a pitch to load the bases. Phillips crossed home plate on a fielder's choice.

The Wildcats couldn't get a runner past second base in the final three innings and the game ended 4-1 in the Rangers' favor.

Game Notes | Game 2: Rochon and Skillings both went 2-3, recorded four of RU's six hits. Heflebower and Bryniarski each added a single hit. Rochon had a game-high
two RBI's.

Regis' pitching staff allowed just four hits and one run while facing 26 batters. Sophomore Cobe Karhoff (1-0) was given the win after pitching 4.1 innings and striking out four batters. He walked two and gave up four hits and an earned run. Senior Patrick Kenny pitched the last inning to earn the save.

Up Next for the Rangers: The Regis baseball team will travel to Austin, Texas to take on St. Edwards University on February 23. They won't play another home game until March 16.