GOLDEN, CO - Colorado Christian returned to the diamond Friday afternoon to take on RMAC foes Colorado School of Mines in a non-conference matchup. After trailing early in the game, CCU exploded with a plethora of runs to overtake their rivals and secure the win 10-8.
Brady Ritzmann got the start on the mound and started by getting two outs quickly, but the hosts with the bases loaded lined one out to left center in the gap to score first. Two more runs came across for CSM at the end of the first inning. CCU struggled to collect their first hit in the game, going hitless in the first two, but the defense for the Cougars kept them in the game with a pair of groundouts to the infield.
The top half of the third was the turning point of this game, leading off with
Cade Lacy who singled followed by another single from
Ethan Kang. Back-to-back walks thrown by the opposing pitcher helped CCU get the bases loaded and eventually got Lacy across to score a run. Kang and
Nathan Owens both came in, making it a one run game and getting the Cougars back in the game.
Lukas Hinze and
Nathan Mensen got the green light to head home after
Gregory Rangel drilled one on the right side for a 2 RBI single giving the Cougars their first lead of the game 5-4. After a pitching change from CSM,
Aidan Welsh and Rangel scored from yet another 2 RBI double this time from
Zach Valentine giving CCU a much enjoyable third inning.
As the game moved to the top of the fourth, CCU kept their momentum going scoring two more runs from Mensen and
Mason Hagel-Pitt. An error occurred in the fifth allowing Valentine to score the 10th run for CCU and keeping the score 10-4 for the next 2 innings. The hosts didn't go down without a fight in the sixth, after a pitching change
Cody Hill took the hill and CSM took that chance to get the new pitcher dazzled and it worked in their favor but were still down by two at the end of the sixth inning.
It was all defense for the rest of the game, an even greater play from Valentine throwing out the baserunner to second to end the eighth inning with a crucial third out. Hill managed to finish the game with the Cougars getting the win 10-8 over CSM.
CCU did well offensively getting every player who batted to score. Rangel and Valentine both led the team with 2 RBI each. Ritzmann got the win going 5.0 innings and Hill notched the save only allowing one run.
Colorado Christian will return to Jim Darden Field for game two of the three game series Saturday with first pitch slated for 12:00 PM MST.
