DENVER, CO- Colorado Christian opened their series against MSU Denver on Friday night at the Assembly Athletic Complex. Playing as the home team against the Roadrunners in Denver, a high scoring affair saw CCU fall by a final score of 18-12. 

It was a beautiful night for baseball for the 6pm first pitch in the Mile High City. The two teams battled to a scoreless tie after two innings before a six-run third inning put MSU Denver on top. The Cougars responded in the bottom half of the inning with three runs as Lukas Hinze laced a two RBI double and Mason Hagel-Pitt singled in another to cut the deficit in half. 

The Roadrunners went on a run from there, scoring six runs across the fourth and fifth innings to claim a 12-3 advantage. CCU came back in the seventh as Gregory Rangel drew a bases loaded walk, and an error scored two more. Hinze followed with a towering three-run bomb to left field as suddenly the Cougars drew within 12-9. 

With the momentum shifting towards CCU, the Roadrunners took control with a big eighth, scoring six more to go on top 18-9. CCU attempted to rally in the ninth, scoring a run on a bases loaded walk issued to Zach Valentine. Taylor McLeod notched an RBI fielder's choice, and Nathan Mensen singled in another run to make it 18-12. That was as close as CCU would manage to get as they dropped the series opener 18-12. 

Hinze had a career night, going off for five RBI, and five Cougars had an RBI apiece. 

Colorado Christian continues their series against MSU Denver with a doubleheader on April 12 at 3 and 6 p.m. MST.