Denver, CO – The final series matchup between the Cougars and Roadrunners would see momentum swings from start to finish, CCU falling 7-9 to MSU-Denver. Despite matching the Roadrunners with 11 hits and putting together a late push, the Cougars would come up just short in the final innings.

The Cougars wasted no time getting on the board, Lukas Hinze opening the game with a solo shot to left field, setting the tone from the top of the 1^st. MSU-Denver would answer in the bottom half, tying things up at one apiece.

CCU would continue to apply pressure in the second inning. Taylor McLeod would reach on an error and immediately make an impact on the bases, swiping second to move into scoring position. Hinze would come through yet again, lining a single to left to drive in McLeod and give the Cougars a 2-1 lead. The Roadrunners would response once again, taking advantage of a defensive miscue and a two-RBI single to jump back in front, 3-2. MSU Denver would slowly build their lead, adding a run in the third before a two-run fourth inning—highlighted by a solo home run—pushed the score to 6-2.

Despite the growing deficit, the Cougars continued to battle back. In the sixth, McLeod sparked the offense again, reaching with a single before aggressively taking second and third. His pressure on the bases would pay off, as he came around to score on a throwing error, cutting the deficit to 6-3. MSU Denver would answer with a run of their own in the bottom half, keeping the Cougars at bay, 7-3, heading into the 7^th.

The 8^th would see the most complete inning of the day for the Cougars. Aidan Welsh worked a walk to get things started before Nathan Mensen was hit by a pitch, setting the table. McLeod would deliver again, ripping an RBI single to left to score Welsh. Moments later, Mensen would swipe third, and Rae would come through with an RBI single of his own to bring the Cougars within two. The pressure continued as both runners moved up on stolen bases, and Austin DeMello, coming in as a pinch hitter, grounded out to bring in another run. Hinze would cap off his strong day with an RBI ground out, scoring Rae and pulling CCU within one, 8-7, after a four-run inning.

With all the momentum shifting toward the Cougars, MSU Denver would find a way to respond yet again in the bottom half, using a passed ball to plate an insurance run and extend the lead back to two, 9-7.

CCU would make one final push in the ninth, as Aidan Welsh picked up his second hit of the day to keep things alive, but the Cougars would be unable to string together one last rally, as the Roadrunners closed it out.

Hinze led the way going 2-for-5 with a home run and 3 RBIs, while McLeod scored 3 runs with 2 hits, an RBI, and 3 stolen bases. Welsh, Rangel, and Hagel-Pitt each added 2 hits as CCU totaled 11 on the day. The Cougars now travel to Hays, KS for a three game series against Fort Hays State April 17-19. First pitch is set on the 17^th at 4pm MDT.