GRAND JUNCTION, CO- Colorado Christian started play at the RMAC Tournament with a night matchup against #1 Colorado Mesa. CCU gave the hosts all they could handle, pushing the top ranked Mavericks to the brink in a tightly contested 4-3 loss for the Cougars.

CCU brought a lot of energy from the start, and Luke Thompson gave his team a jolt as he blasted a two-run homer down the right field line for a 2-0 first inning lead. Major Maydon later singled home Gabe Ramos as a quick 3-0 lead developed for the Cougars. 

From there it was a pitching duel, as Jake Gimbel squared off against Jacob Rhoades for CMU. Gimbel was excellent throughout, facing just six batters through the first two innings. In the third, an error proved costly for CCU as a runner reached and advanced before coming around to score on a double. Another error scored the Mavericks' second run as it stood at 3-2 after three. 

Gimbel continued to deal, pitching shutout innings in the fourth and fifth. CMU tacked on a pair of runs in the sixth to take their first lead of the game at 4-3 as Gimbel exited after 6 innings pitched with just two earned runs allowed. 

Cole Kennedy entered and was brilliant, not allowing any further runs from the Mavericks. The Cougars could not get the bats going after the initial inning, as they fought till the end but ultimately fell to the hosts 4-3 in a first game battle to start the tournament. 

CCU now sets their sights on a matchup with CSU Pueblo May 11 at 11 a.m MST as they look to stay alive in the tournament and move into play Friday.