GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – It took four hours and a combined 35 hits and 28 runs to settle the final game of a four-game series between Minot State and No. 3 Colorado Mesa on Sunday afternoon at Suplizio Field. When the dust settled, the Mavericks held off the Beavers 17-11 to split the final non-conference series.
 
Colorado Mesa scored in seven of the eight innings they hit including the big four spot in the sixth inning. Caleb Farmer delivered a bases clearing double to put the Mavericks ahead 10-7. Two batters later, Tanner Garner singled home Farmer for the 11-7 advantage.
 
Farmer finished the game 4-for-6 with a run scored and three runs driven in while Garner was 3-for-6 with two runs scored, two RBIs and six….yes, six stolen bases in the game.
 
Chase Hamilton went 4-for-5 at the dish with three runs scored and an RBI while Matt Turner continued to swing a hot bat, finishing the game 2-for-3 with three runs scored and four runs driven in.
 
Freshman Cade Nicol earned his first collegiate win on the mound in relief of Josh Danyliw. Nicol allowed three runs on six hits, walked one and struck out five in four complete innings of work.
 
Junior Frankie Fitzgerald pitched the final inning and two-thirds of shutout baseball to close it out.
 
The Mavericks will host Regis in a four-game series to open up Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play beginning on Friday at 3pm at Suplizio Field.