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Last Updated: Oct 16th, 2008 - 13:33:17 |
Metro's baseball team has seen some of the wind taken out of its sails having lost its last four of six games and last six of 11. After dropping back-to-back games against CSU-Pueblo on the road two weeks ago, the Roadrunners split their series against New Mexico Highlands April 25-27 in Las Vegas.
Having lost only six games in the first two months, they have dropped the same total in the span of 13 days.
"Last weekend was frustrating," Metro head coach Bobby Pierce said. "We had the last game, and we gave it up a six spot in the bottom of the ninth. Splitting on the road is good for a lot of teams, but for us and this year, it's not good."
The dip in the wins may have come from the time spent on that road. In that two-week time, Metro has traveled to Greeley, Lakewood, Pueblo, Las Vegas and hasn't seen the comforting confines of home since the series against the School of Mines at the beginning of last April.
"I think a lot of it has to do with the road," Pierce said. "I don't know why, it's just a universal thing that teams play better at home. A lot of teams don't get hot on the road."
The 'Runners opened the series well against the Cowboys taking the first two games. Metro designated hitter Mike Coffey always seemed to be at the right place at the right time coming through when it counted for his team.
In game one, Coffey was hit by a pitch and later scored on a double-play grounder by Metro right fielder Brennan Brown in the third inning to open up the scoring.
With his team trailing 2-1 heading into the fourth inning, Coffey hit a shot up the middle to score third baseman Dakota Nahm to even the score. He once again crossed home plate later in the inning to give his team a 4-2 advantage. Metro went on to score two more runs in the inning.
The Cowboys scored three runs in the bottom of the fourth to close the gap to 6-5, but Coffey came through once again powering a triple to center field scoring two.
And if one three bagger wasn't enough, Coffey found himself on third again in the seventh driving home the game-winning run in the 9-8 victory.
"He was our MVP on that Friday night game," Pierce said. "Every hit was with two outs and with men on base, and he got the runs we needed in the 9-8 win."
Coffey also walked and scored in the pivotal sixth inning to take game two of the series by a final 7-4 score.
"Mike has played a lot early, and he has had some struggles in the middle of the year," Pierce said. "He got another opportunity because Michael Molinar hurt his foot this weekend and he did great with it."
But New Mexico Highlands has played solid baseball since March splitting every series with its last four opponents. They made it five against the Roadrunners taking games three and four by scores of 7-5 and 9-8.
With the Cowboys series behind them, one series remains for Metro, and they will try to get back on track against conference rival Mesa State, who is currently riding a five-game winning streak.
Metro swept the Mavericks earlier this season and revenge will certainly be on their agenda. The series will also have an impact in the standings as the 'Runners hold a three-game lead over the Mavericks for the top spot in the RMAC East Division. The division winner will ultimately have the RMAC Tournament on their home field.
"We would have loved to lock this thing up and not make this series important," Pierce said. "But it's going to be really fun. This is what you play baseball for. The play at the end of the year when games matter."
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