DENVER, Colo. – The Regis University Baseball team opened Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play on Saturday afternoon at Metropolitan State University of Denver, but lost to Metro State, 14-7. The Rangers fall to 10-9 (0-1 RMAC), while the Roadrunners improve to 8-8 (1-0 RMAC).

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Rangers would take the first lead of the game, as Adam Paniagua, who ranks second in all of NCAA DII in home runs, added to his total with a two-run shot in the top of the first. However, the Roadrunners responded in the bottom of the frame, scoring four runs on three hits, including a two-run homer of their own. Metro added another run on a solo home run in the second, for the 5-2 lead.

In the third inning, Clayton Conn doubled to left field to score CJ Difiglia, and was brought in by an RBI single from Garrett Rede. MSUD kept their strong start going in the third with another run scored on a sacrifice fly, and into the fourth with a two-RBI single to extend their lead to 8-4.

Regis cut the deficit to one run in the fifth inning, as Difiglia was walked, and Rede singled, setting up Paniagua's second home run of the game, this one scoring three runs. Back-to-back sac flies from the Roadrunners in the bottom of the fifth inning brought the score to 10-7.

Another Metro home run in the sixth inning pushed the lead to 12-7, and while Regis loaded the bases in the seventh, no one reached home. Two more Roadrunners scored in the eighth inning, and while Ethan Wood reached base in the ninth, RU would fall, 14-7.

GAME NOTES

·        Paniagua went 2-4 with five RBIs

·        Rede had three hits in four at-bats, scored two runs, and batted in one

·        Four other Rangers had one hit

·        Andrew Graham went 3-3 with five RBIs for Metro

·        Rede and Difiglia both stole one base

·        Wyatt Zsidisin (1-1) recorded the loss, while Nolan Livsey (3-1) posted the win

UP NEXT

The series continues with a doubleheader on Sunday, March 9, starting at 12:00 pm.