GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – Garrett Ball's walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth inning gave fifth-ranked Colorado Mesa a 4-3 victory against the Colorado Mines Orediggers on a sunny Sunday afternoon at Suplizio Field.
 
Ball came in as a defensive replacement in the ninth inning and made the most of his lone at-bat of the game. His single scored pinch runner John Ballard from second base for the winning run.
 
The game was a see-saw battle as every time Colorado Mines scored in the top half of the inning, Colorado Mesa countered.
 
The Orediggers scored in the top half of the first inning, Colorado Mesa got an RBI single from James Young III.
 
Colorado Mines scored in the top half of the sixth inning, the Mavericks countered with a solo home run from JJ Carr.
 
Mines put up one in the top of the seventh inning, James Young answered with a solo home run to right center.
 
Young was the lone Maverick with multiple hits, finishing 2-for-4.
 
Colorado Mines had every opportunity to break it open but couldn't. They stranded 11 runners on base and had the leadoff man reach in six of the nine innings.
 
Six pitchers threw for the Mavericks with Tyler Ehlers earning the win. Ehlers pitched the final inning and two-thirds and allowed just one hit and struck out three.
 
The Mavericks improved to 21-4 overall and 11-1 in the RMAC while Colorado Mines fell to 14-10 on the season and 7-5 in the RMAC.
 
Colorado Mesa will be on the road next weekend for a four-game series with New Mexico Highlands in Las Vegas, N.M.