Box Score Links: Live Stats | Live Video

Complete Game Notes vs. MSU Denver

MSU DENVER AT A GLANCE
The Roadrunners come into the series on a four-game skid but are in the hunt for the final spot in the RMAC Tournament just percentage points behind Adams State for the fourth and final spot. MSU Denver were swept in the four-game series earlier in the season by Colorado Mesa that included the 19 strikeout game by JR McDermott and the 17 strikeout game by Tanner Herdt.

On the mound, MSU Denver features one of the top pitchers in the RMAC in Julian Garcia. Garcia has a 5-5 record with a 2.89 ERA. He is second in the RMAC in strikeouts just two behind CMU's JR McDermott. Javi Vega is a solid No. 2 pitcher but hasnt pitched in three weeks.

Infielder Andrew Paust is the Roadrunners top threat at the plate. Paust carries a .392 batting average and has slugged out 15 doubles and six homers. Hunter Donaldson is another one of MSU Denver's top hitters. He is batting .349 with 10 doubles, a triple and four home runs. 

Colorado Mesa is 17-3 in their last 20 meetings with MSU Denver dating back to 2014.

WEEKEND RECAP
Colorado Mesa swept a three-game series with division rival Colorado Christian this past weekend at Suplizio Field. The Mavericks broke out of an offensive slump as they batted .463 in the series with 27 extra-base hits. The pitching staff saw 15 pitchers pitch in the series and came out with a higher ERA then normal at 4.00 but the Cougars batted just .236 off of them. 

REGIONAL RANKINGS
The first set of Regional Rankings from the NCAA are due out this week. Below is a projection. 
1. Colorado Mesa
2. Lubbock Christian
3. St. Edward's
4. Texas A&M-Kingsville
5. Colorado Mines
6. Angelo State
7. West Texas A&M
8. Cameron

FRIENDLY FRIDAY'S
Friday's have been kind to the Mavericks over the years and this season is no different. Colorado Mesa is 11-1 in games played on Friday. They are a combined 38-7 in the last three years in Friday games.

OFFENSIVE OUTBURST
The Mavericks had their best offensive weekend of the season against Colorado Chrisitan. They scored a season-high 25 runs and pounded out a season-high 25 hits in the win. In that game, they also had a season-high 12 extra-base hits. 

MAGIC NUMBER
Colorado Mesa's magic number is down to three. Any combination of Maverick wins or Colorado Mines losses that equals three will give them the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference regular season championship and the right to host the tournament.

SHUTOUTS
The Mavericks moved down to number two in the country in shutouts behind Southern New Hampshire.

COACHING
Head coach Chris Hanks won his 700th game for the Mavericks on February 19 in a 5-4 win over Cal Baptist. He has spent his entire 17 year coaching career at Colorado Mesa and has won 11 RMAC Championships and two NCAA Regional titles.

PROTECTING THE HOUSE
Suplizio Field has been very kind to the Mavericks for several seasons now. The Mavericks are 121-16 the past four seasons including the 27-5 record last season. They have not been shutout at home in 381 straight games dating back to the 2004 season (L 0-3 Western Oregon, Feb. 14).

RMAC TOURNAMENT IN 2015
Colorado Mesa claimed their second consecutive RMAC Tournament Championship, defeating MSU Denver 7-6 on a walk-off home run by Alex Fife. It is the the Mavericks 11th RMAC Tournament Championship, most by any school in the conference. 

REGIONAL TOURNAMENT
The Mavericks hosted the NCAA South Central Regional for the second straight season and went 1-2 in the tournament. The Mavericks fell to St. Mary's then went on to defeat St. Edward's before falling to eventual champion Angelo State.

ON DECK
Colorado Mesa will play their final games of the regular season next weekend on the road at Colorado Mines. The Orediggers have clinched a RMAC Tournament spot and looking to qualify for the NCAA South Central Regional.