DENVER, Colo. – The I-70 rivalry featured a doubleheader split between the Regis University baseball team (7-17, 2-9 RMAC) and No. 23 Colorado School of Mines (15-7, 6-5 RMAC) on Saturday afternoon. The Orediggers claimed game one 4-5 before a two-run shot by senior Connor Rochon gave the Rangers a 3-1 win in game two on the Regis Baseball Field.

How It Happened | Game One:RU played all seven innings from behind after the Orediggers scored two runs on two errors and a hit in the opening inning. After leaving the first inning empty handed, sophomore Thomas Alexander hit a lead-off home run in the bottom of the second to pull Regis within one, 1-2.

In the very next frame, however, Colorado School of Mines extended their advantage to 1-5 with three runs on two hits. The Rangers battled back, placing runners in scoring position in the third and fifth inning before eventually scoring in the sixth.

Freshman Ben Kittay homered in the sixth to score himself and Alexander who reached base on a single to left field. Kittay's home run brought RU within two, 3-5. Regis had just three outs to work with after holding the Orediggers scoreless and hitless in the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh inning.

In the last frame, the Orediggers' shortstop overthrew the first baseman, allowing junior Ryan Tierney to score an unearned run to bring the Rangers within one, 4-5. 
The error placed the tying run on first base in senior Logan Heflebower. Heflebower attempted to advance home when Alexander singled to center field, but he was thrown out at home on a controversial call that ended in a one game suspension for him. The out at the plate ended the game 4-5 in the Orediggers' favor.

Game Notes | Game One:The Rangers won the hit and error battle, but it was the Orediggers that were able to get more runs across the plate. RU tallied nine hits and two errors while holding Colorado School of Mines to just three hits. The Orediggers committed four errors in the game.

Alexander (3-4, 1 HR, 1 RBI) lead Regis with three hits while Tierney (2-3, 1 2B) and Kittay(2-3, 1HR, 2 RBI) added two hits each.

Junior Cobe Karhoff(1-5) was given the loss after pitching 2.1 innings. He allowed five runs on three hits.

How It Happened | Game Two:Both pitchers had a perfect game through the first three innings before the Orediggers spoiled freshman Brayden Brooks' no-hitter with two hits in the top of the fourth. The hits did not equate to much as Brooks and the Rangers defense escaped the inning unharmed.

Colorado School of Mines broke through in the fifth inning, scoring the games' first run on two hits. In the bottom of the fifth, Kittay tied the game with a solo shot to left field, recording the first hit of the game for RU and his second homerun of the series.

Regis then gained their first lead of the game in the sixth inning via a two-run shot to right field off the bat of Rochon. The homer gave the Rangers a 3-1 advantage that stood through the rest of the game.

Game Notes | Game Two:The Orediggers outhit RU 4-3, but Regis won the game as two of their three hits went the distance.

The Rangers played a perfect game defensively, committing no errors. Senior Matt Heibult (3-0) remains perfect on the season. He pitched the last two innings of the game, striking out three batters without giving up a hit or a run. Freshman Brayden Brooks kept the game close in his five-inning outing. Brooks allowed just one run on four hits while fanning six batters, a single-game career high. 

Up Next for the Rangers: The Regis University baseball team will complete their four-game series with one nine-inning game tomorrow, March 24, at 12 p.m. against Colorado School of Mines.