Sophomore Jeff Popick's big day at the plate helped the Maverick's claim the season series on the 7th ranked New Mexico Highlands Cowboys. The Cowboy's, ranked 1st in the Central Region Rankings, threatened late by scoring runs in the 7th, 8th, and 9th innings but could not muster enough as the Mavericks prevailed 12-9.

          Popick finished the game 4-for-5 with 5 RBI's, 3 runs scored and 2 homreuns. Popick's first homerun, a 2-run shot to center, put the Mavericks up 5-3 and they would never look back. He then hit another 2-run homerun in the 6th, this time to rightfield which pushed his total on the season to seven.

          The player for the weekend was Junior Catcher Brett Nigbur. Nigbur went 2-for-3 Sunday with 4 runs scored to add to his weekend total. Nigbur finished the weekend 10-for-13 (.769 batting average) with 4 doubles, 2 homeruns, and 11 runs scored.

          Senior Derek Riley picked up his 3rd win of the season in relief of starter Ryan Gorzitze. Riley finished going 4.2 innings, allowing 2 runs on 6 hits, walking 1 and striking out 2.

          The Mavericks will finish their non-conference schedule this week facing the Dixie State Red Storm. The two teams will play doubleheaders on Tuesday and Wednesday with first pitch on Tuesday scheduled for 3:30pm. Mesa State will then head to Denver to close out the conference schedule with Colorado Christian.

Mesa State Statistics and Box Scores