Despite a furious comeback attempt, Colorado Christian ran out of time as they fell to CSU-Pueblo by a final score of 12-9 in the series finale on Saturday. Even though they could not finish off the sweep, they still won the series after winning the first three games. The team is getting hot at the right time, as even with the loss the Cougs have won 8 of their last 12 games.
 
It was a less than ideal start to the game, as the Thunder Wolves came out determined to avoid being swept in the series. CSUP scored four runs in the top of the first inning to take the early 4-0 lead. Jerry Gallegos answered back in the Cougars half of the first inning after he displayed his opposite field power by driving the ball over the left field fence to score Cooper Gray who had singled to begin the game. After one inning, the Cougs were trailing 4-2.
 
After a scoreless second inning from both sides, CSU-Pueblo was back at it in the third inning. This time they tallied two runs to extend their lead. CCU answered with one in their half of the third, but then the Thunder Wolves pressed the gas in the fourth inning. They scored five runs on four hits in the inning, which extended their lead over CCU to 11-3. The Cougs refused to give in, and once again responded to the scoring outburst from CSU-Pueblo. However they could only muster one run, so after four innings they were still trailing by seven runs.
 
The Thunder Wolves scored a single run in the fifth, but that was equaled by Colorado Christian in their half of the inning as Jerry Gallegos hammered his second homerun of the day to deep right field.
 
Brad Benson shifted the momentum in the game, as he came in out of the bullpen and was able to stifle the Pueblo offense. Benson worked a scoreless sixth inning, which gave the Cougar offense a chance to get back into the game. That was exactly what they did beginning with three straight singles to begin the inning from Luke Bote, Mikale Doherty, and Dakota Bayles. A sacrifice fly off the bat of Cooper Gray chased the Thunder Wolves Starter from the game.
 
Jerry Gallegos was the first batter to face the CSUP reliever, and he gave him a rude welcome to the game. Gallegos jumped all over the first pitch thrown, and promptly deposited his third homerun of the game over the right centerfield fence. The three-run homerun brought the Cougars to within three, as they now trailed 12-9 with three innings left to play.
 
Tensions were high for the remainder of the game, as both sides did everything they could to win the final game of the series. CCU threatened to get things tighter in the seventh inning, but the rally was killed after a perfect throw by the Thunder Wolves right fielder was able to get out Austin Maltby who was trying to score from second base after a hit by Mikale Doherty.
 
That was as close as the Cougs would come to adding any more runs, as the Thunder Wolves brought in their closer to finish the final two innings and did not allow a single baserunner.
 
Jerry Gallegos put in a career effort at the plate in the game. He finished the game with a career high three homeruns and six RBI. He went 4-5 and also scored four runs in the game. Mikale Doherty also had a great game going 3-4 with one run and one RBI. Both Dakota Bayles and Austin Maltby both finished the game with two hits and one run scored.
 
Brad Benson had his best outing of the year, going 3 1/3^rd innings allowing just two hits, one run, and struck out three. Both Alex Ginn and Jarrod Rivera worked a scoreless inning in relief.
 
CCU now has an overall record of 16-22, and 10-14 in conference play. They will be back in action next weekend as they will take on Colorado School of Mines at All Star Park. The series will begin on Friday April 21^st, with first pitch slated for 12PM MST. Come out and support the Cougars at home, as they enter the final stretch of the season.