Rugged road trip for ‘Runners By Eric Lansing lansing@mscd.edu

Photo by Eric Lansing • lansing@mscd.edu Metro catcher Kyle Christensen walks off the field in disappointment while the Mesa State Mavericks celebrate after defeating the Roadrunners 8-7 March 26 in Grand Junction.

     Metro’s road trip to Grand Junction proved to be a tough one as the Mavericks of Mesa State swept the Roadrunners in a four-game series that saw Metro have a lead in every game.
   “ We kept letting back in key situations,” head coach Vince Porreco said. “And when you do that to good teams, they are going to take advantage of it.”
   In a tie game heading into the fourth inning, Metro exploded for three runs to take a 5-2 lead in game one. After a single, a walk and a hit-by-pitch that loaded the bases, sophomore Reece Gorman singled in two runs off sophomore pitcher Freddie Hampe that put the score at 4-2.
   Junior D.J. Edwards reached base on an error by the second baseman, driving in the fifth run of the game. But Metro could not hold the lead as Mesa scored six runs in the next three innings to give the Mavericks an 8-5 edge.
   The Roadrunners cut the lead to one in the eighth inning when freshman Dakota Nahm, who pinch-hit for freshman Tommy Frikken, hit a triple to deep right center field, scoring two runs. But the Mavericks held off the ‘Runners as junior pitcher Brett Armour struck out the side in the ninth inning to record his fourth save of the season.
   Senior Ryan Bright, who won the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Pitcher-of-the- Week for his two hit, complete game shutout against New Mexico Highland last week, got the loss. Bright (3-3) pitched six innings, giving up eight runs on 11 hits while striking out six.
   “ The biggest key is to not put guys on; we really hurt ourselves with walks,” Bright said about the overall pitching in the series, which included 17 bases on balls.
   “Other than that, it was Mesa’s timely hitting; they really put the ball in play.”
   Game-two saw Metro jump to a 1-0 lead after its half of the first inning, but the game was never close after that as the Mavericks dominated the ‘Runners 9-2.
   Metro’s starting pitching was roughed up once again as sophomore Josh Eckert allowed nine runs on 11 hits and walked five batters in five innings of work. Mesa put up three spots in the first, third and fifth innings and saw at least one hit from eight of the nine starters.
   Sophomore Matt Bodenchuk led Mesa’s offense going 2 for 3, scoring two runs and two RBI. Senior Luke Cheever won his fourth game of the year (4-0) going the distance giving up only two runs—one earned—on six hits and striking out six Roadrunners.
   Game-three saw Metro take the lead early for the third time in the series as sophomore Jake Palmer singled in a run to put the score at 1-0. But, again, the lead did not hold as Mesa scored single runs in the first and third innings.
   The Roadrunners fought back to tie the game at two in the fourth inning when Junior Alex Krohn scored on an error by the catcher. With the game tied at 3-3, Mesa once again came through in the fifth inning when junior Matt Pavlich hit a two-run home run that put the score at 5-3.
   The last game of the series was a thriller to the end as Mesa scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning to complete the sweep of Metro.
   The Mavericks overcame a 7-4 deficit by scoring four runs in the final three innings. With the game tied at seven heading into the bottom of the ninth inning, senior Mike Hoefs, who is known for his power at the plate, was pitching for Metro as the inning started. Hoefs walked the first two batters and, after a sacrifice bunt that advanced the runners, intentionally walked the bases loaded.
   Senior Kyle Deck struck out looking, to become the second out of the inning.
   Looking for one more out and extra innings, Hoefs pitch was hit back to Nahm, who went to second for the play, instead of the sure bet at first. The umpire called the runner safe and the runner at third scored, giving the Mavericks an 8-7 win.
   “ It was one of those learning experiences,” Porreco said about the last play of the game. “Nahm felt he had a chance at second, instead of just coming up and throwing it to first. The situation was there; Mike made the right pitch and I think if we come up with that play, we go out and win that ball game.”
   Hoefs took the loss as junior Chris Skalet recorded the win, giving up only one run on two hits, striking out nine in five innings pitched.
   Metro comes back home for its next series against Nebraska-Kearney in RMAC play starting March 31.