Baseball lost their final regular season series against CSU Pueblo. The Mountain Lions lost 3 of the 4 games in the series against a red-hot Thunderwolves squad, riding a 5-game winning streak headed into Mountain Lion Park.
The series from May 1-3 was the last before both teams play in the RMAC Baseball Championship and was pivotal in determining the team’s seeds for the tournament.
UCCS loses game 1, 15-2
Game 1 on May 1 didn’t see a score until the second inning when CSU Pueblo scored for a quick 3-0 lead.
In the third, a solo home run from infielder Trevor Dale put UCCS on the board, and an RBI single from outfielder Kit Wigington would make the score 3-2.
The next two innings were scoreless, but a wild pitch from UCCS that would break the drought and put CSU Pueblo up 4-2
In the seventh, CSU Pueblo took a commanding 10-2 lead. UCCS went scoreless in the final two innings. CSU Pueblo won game 1 with a final score of 15-2.
UCCS wins game 2, 6-5
On May 2, CSU Pueblo continued their dominance from the day before with 4 runs in the first.
UCCS rallied for the lead in the fourth, beginning with a solo home run from junior infielder Bryce Peterson. Then came a 2-RBI double from senior infielder Caleb Chance and an RBI from graduate student catcher Nolan Ackerman. A 2-run homer from redshirt senior infielder Vander Hodges would cap off the scoring frenzy for UCCS and turn the game on its head, giving the Mountain Lions a 6-4 lead.
In the ninth, CSU Pueblo would attempt to claw its way back into the game with a solo home run, but the UCCS fielding team would hold the door, giving them a 6-5 win.
CSU Pueblo wins game 3, 12-4
Game 3, the first of a Saturday doubleheader on May 3, began with senior utility player Mikey Brinton sacrificial fly. Peterson scored on that play, giving UCCS a 1-0 lead.
In the third, CSU Pueblo had 3 runs to take the lead, but an RBI from Peterson kept the game close at 3-2.
In the fourth and fifth, 2 home runs from CSU Pueblo helped them to an 8-2 lead.
In the sixth, UCCS tried to regain momentum with a solo home run from redshirt senior outfielder Kasey Campbell and an RBI from redshirt sophomore catcher Tyler Buchman, narrowing the lead, 8-4.
In the seventh and final inning, CSU Pueblo would put away the game for good with four more runs, bringing the final score to 12-4.
“We did nothing right. It’s why we lost. It’s a disappointing game,” said head coach Dave Hajek.
With the loss fresh in the players’ minds, Coach Hajek said it’s important to deal with emotions heading into their second game of the doubleheader. “They can’t always be good ones, but you can’t dwell on it. You’ve got to turn the page and be ready to go,” he said.
CSU Pueblo wins game 4, 10-6
In the first inning of game 4, Wigington hit a 2-run homer, 2-0.
The second and third innings introduced the sun as a new opponent for the Mountain Lions. As the skies cleared, the outfield struggled to make catches, allowing the Thunderwolves to score 4 runs. In the bottom of the third, infielder Caleb Stubbings got an RBI to keep the game close at 4-3.
CSU Pueblo increased their lead in the fourth with 3 RBIs, bringing the score to 7-3.
In the seventh inning, CSU Pueblo tried to put the game out of reach with 3 more runs. On their last breath, Ackerman hit an RBI. Senior outfielder Dillon Vroman and Brinton would follow with RBIs of their own to inch the Mountain Lions closer to a late-game comeback.
The late scores were not enough as the game ended in a 10-6 defeat for UCCS.
This was defined by UCCS missing their opportunities to bring runners home, as they kept leaving them stranded. This would gut the momentum of the UCCS hitters and stall out the offense. “[Missed scoring opportunities] lowers team morale. But you’ve got to get behind your guys. You can’t live with that with every pitch and everything that happens on the field,” Wigington said.
UCCS receives no. 6 seed after series loss
CSU Pueblo walked into Olympic City nurturing a 5-game win streak, and as an opponent that UCCS could see again in the conference tournament, this series was important for capturing momentum for both sides.
“Baseball is a game of failure, and you’re going to fail, so you just have to overcome it and keep going,” said Wigington.
While both teams had already clinched playoff spots headed into their series, the series loss meant UCCS dropped to the sixth seed and will face No. 1 seed Colorado Mesa in the RMAC Championship Tournament. UCCS split a series against Colorado Mesa in April.
Regardless of the opponent, the team is eager to play in a postseason setting. “I look forward to playing at least two more games with my best friends over the last five years,” Wigington said.
The RMAC tournament begins May 7, and games will be broadcast on the RMAC Network for a $9.99 fee per game or a $20 pass that will grant access to all games of the tournament.
Infielder #2 Caleb Chance at bat during game 1. Photo by Josiah Dolan.