LA JOLLA, Calif. – James Young III's two-run homerun in the top of the second proved to be the difference as No. 5 Colorado Mesa shutout No. 15 UC San Diego 2-0 on Saturday to secure the two-game sweep to open the season.
 
Young III drove in the only two runs of the game on his first homerun as a Mavericks. His ball left Triton Ballpark over the right center field wall.
 
Ryan Reno picked up the victory on the mound after pitching five innings and allowed just one hit while striking out five. Reno struck out the side in the third inning and then struck out two in his final inning of work.
 
Freshman Nick Cardinale came in relief of Reno in the sixth inning.
 
After stranding two runners in the sixth inning, Cardinale found himself in a jam in the seventh. He walked the first batter then gave up a double down the right field line to put runners at second and third with nobody out.
 
Cardinale struck out the next batter he faced then induced a foul out to the catcher and finished off the inning with a strikeout.
 
Righty Matt Allen pitched the eighth and Tyler Ehlers picked up his second save in as many days after pitching a perfect ninth inning.
 
The four pitchers limited the Tritons to just three hits on the night and the staff allowed just eight hits in the two-game series.
 
Colorado Mesa will be back in action next weekend in St. George, Utah for a tilt with the Dixie State Red Storm.