The CCU Cougar baseball team hosted a rare Monday doubleheader, the first in program history, taking on the New Mexico Highland University Cowboys to finish out their season series. Almost as if they copied the doubleheader from Sunday, the two teams split the day with the Cougars again earning another walk-off win in the first game, and the Cowboys staving off a comeback attempt in the second. After the weekends divided results the Cougars stand at 11-26 on the year and 6-18 in RMAC play.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Game One: CCU 4 – NMHU 3

Hunter Hays broke this game open on just the second pitch of the morning, sending a ball into the middle of the All Star Park scoreboard to record his second homerun of the season. The Cougars would tack on another run in the 2nd inning off of a Drew Kennedy double that he attempted to stretch into a triple, but was thrown out at third, but not before scoring Joel Manzano. The game moved along at a brisk pace thanks in part to strong pitching from both teams who could only manage two hits between them in three innings of work. During a stretch from the top of the 2nd inning to the top of the 5th inning, CCU starting pitcher Justin Kiedinger only needed to throw 30 pitches to reach 12 outs.
Hunter Hays added another RBI to his stat sheet in the bottom of the 5th inning, driving in Drew Kennedy on a single through the left side. Kiedinger slung another eight pitches to get through the top half of the 6th inning and all looked well for the Cougars. However, six of the next eight CCU batters would fly out, unable to add any insurance runs heading into the top of the 8th where the Cowboys took advantage of the Cougars.
After retiring the first batter, the next three Cowboys would single, scoring their first run on the game. After that, a combination of a wild pitch, a passed ball, and heads up base running would allow NMHU to tie up the game. The Cougars would strand two runners on base in the bottom of the 9th inning, forcing extra innings. There was no threat from either team until CCU opened the bottom of the 11th with a Sam Gallegos double. Carter Mossey would come in to pinch run for Gallegos and was quickly joined on the base paths by Joel Manzano who was intentionally walked to create a force out situation. With two on, no outs, and the infield cheating in on the grass expecting a bunt from the speedy Tommy Orr, they were caught off guard when he poked the first pitch he saw past the creeping third baseman, scoring Mossey easily and his single rolled into the left field grass. Orr was immediately mobbed at first base as his teammates ran to celebrate his game-winning hit with him.
Justin Kiedinger allowed three runs with just two of them being earned, while striking out five and receiving a no decision for his stellar outing. Kyler Riordan had de ja vu as he came into the game in the 8th inning and left with a win just like he did the day before. Unlike yesterday's one inning outing, Riordan worked three hitless innings and struck out three on an efficient 36 pitches.

Game Two: CCU 5 – NMHU 6

The series finale saw the Cowboys eventually jump out to a 6-1 lead by the middle of the 7th inning after both teams combined for just five hits in the opening four innings. The Cougars began to mount the comeback in the final frame of the day, which was started by a single from Scotty Ingle. The next at-bat could have very well ended the game, but an error by the NMHU shortstop would extend the inning and breathe new life into the Cougar batting order. Heath Hays would work a walk to load the bases for Tommy Orr who took advantage of the opportunity and continued his hot hitting weekend. Orr would double to right center, scoring a pair and sending Heath to third base. He wouldn't stay there long however, as Drew Kennedy would notch a single on the very next pitch. A sacrifice fly by Matt Kimura would score Orr, but the next batter, Frankie Shearn, would ground into a fielder's choice where Kennedy would be thrown out at second, ending the rally, the game, and the series.

SERIES RECAP:

• This split was the first such outcome for the Cougars so far this season, having only recorded one win in each prior conference series.
• CCU pitching held the NMHU hot hitting line-up well under their season average. Coming into the weekend the Cowboys were hitting .311, but over the course of Sunday and Monday, hit just .258.
• Tommy Orr (8-16) and Drew Kennedy (7-14) each had easily their best offensive series as Cougars. Orr added three runs, as well as a team leading six RBI's and four doubles.

WHAT IS NEXT:

The Cougars homestand comes to an end, but they won't travel too far as they take on the Orediggers from Colorado School of Mines this week in an earlier than usual series due to the Easter holiday on Sunday. The teams will play a normal four game series over three days, but will begin on Thursday at 6:00 p.m., followed by another 6:00 p.m. game on Friday, and capped off with a Saturday doubleheader at 1:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.