Colorado Christian hosted MSU Denver Friday at All-Star Park looking to put a halt to their losing skid, but the Cougars were unable to do so, losing two tough games 4-3 and 3-2 to the Roadrunners.
 
Christian got outstanding efforts from pitchers Ryan Erazo and Austin Atkerson in game one and game two, respectively, yet it was Metro that found a way to squeak by in both.
 
CCU took a 3-2 lead into the ninth inning of the Friday's opening game. Unfortunately, the hosts couldn't hold the one-run advantage as Metro State quickly rallied to claim the lead that would become final.
 
The junior Erazo turned in one of his best performances of the season, allowing six hits and a single earned run while striking out five in eight innings of work, but would have to settle for a no-decision.
 
The Cougars got on the board with a Titan Marler RBI single in the second inning and added a second run on a Dustin Conley sacrifice fly in the fifth.
 
With two outs in the eighth, freshman Jack Nelson shot a single through the right side of the infield to drive in the go-ahead run and give the Cougars a chance to close things down in the top half of the ninth.
 
A leadoff double by the Roadrunners sparked the visitors rally however, and plated two runs in the ninth at the expense of reliever Michael Cantrell, owner of the lowest ERA of the squad.
 
Spring-time Colorado weather forced a roughly forty-five minute delay after just a half inning in game two, but when the action resumed it was the pitchers who once again had the advantage.
 
CCU starter Matt Lewis was unable to resume his duties on the mound after the long layoff. Sophomore Austin Atkerson took over in the second inning and threw a brilliant six innings, striking out five with the lone earned run allowed coming in the seventh and final inning of an unfortunate loss for the native of Reno, Nev.
 
The hosts were held to six hits in game two, with sophomore Brandon Hesselberg driving in the only RBI for CCU in the fourth inning when his single scored Zach Scott. Senior Ryan Silva was solid at the dish and collected two hits in the second contest and three on the day. In doing so, he bumped his average up to .304.
 
The Cougars will wrap the 2015 campaign tomorrow with their final two games-- a doubleheader beginning at noon. Saturday marks Senior Day at All-Star Park, with Colorado Christian recognizing the six members of the team playing in the final games of their careers. Seniors Mark McMahon, Dustin Conley, Ryan Silva, Taylor Dudley, Garret Henrichsen, and Jackson Gaskins will be honored prior to Saturday's first game.