DENVER, Colo. – The Regis University Baseball team started their 2025 season in a huge way, dominating Northwest Missouri State University, 25-6, on Friday afternoon. The Rangers start the year1-0, while the Bearcats fall to 0-1.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Bearcats started the game strong, capitalizing off three hits and a pair of Ranger errors to score two runs in the top of the first. However, Regis responded with a Garrett Rede RBI double and an Adam Paniagua two-run homer for the 3-2 lead. Peter Goldy solo homered to lead off the bottom of the second, but the Rangers truly blew the game open in the third.
Zach Barnao solo homered to lead off, then the Rangers scored four more runs on a Rede RBI walk, a wild pitch, and a fielding error. Maxim Fullerton then launched a grand slam, bringing in Barnao, Matt Graf, and Paniagua. Goldy and CJ Difiglia batted in two more runs as Regis extended the lead to 15-2.
Paniagua scored again in the fourth off a Fullerton RBI single, and in the top of the fifth, NWMSU got back on the board with a solo home run from Kaehukai Young. In the bottom of the frame, Graf singled, which scored Clay Conn, and Ethan Wood homered in his first collegiate game, scoring Graf.
Young's sacrifice fly in the top of the sixth earned the Bearcats fourth run, but Regis continued to balloon their lead as Paniagua homered again, scoring Nolan Johnson and George Smith. Mattias Sessing walked in an RBI, and Ayden Harrison doubled to bring in two more, bringing the lead to 25-4. In the top of the 7th, Northwest Missouri scored two more runs, but the game ended, 25-6.
"I think having a couple days of good practice in nice weather had us in a good place," said Head Coach Pat Jolley. "We are an experienced team, so I was glad to see us coming out ready to play. It was also great to get the young guys in this early in the season, and they made the most of their opportunities."
"It was just great to back out here with the guys," added Paniagua, who was voted a Preseason First-Team All-American. "We were ready, and that great energy was what helped us put up such a strong offensive performance."
GAME NOTES
Wyatt Zsidisin (W, 1-0) earned the win, striking out eight batters and allowing three runs in 5.0 IP
George Fisher (L, 0-1) recorded the loss with two K's
13 Rangers recorded a hit, and six had multiple hits
25 runs in the highest scoring season opener in program history.
UP NEXT
The Rangers and Bearcats continue action on Saturday, Feb. 1 with a doubleheader starting at 11 am.
