GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – No. 2 Colorado Mesa claimed a 15-5 win over Montana State Billings in the home opener on Thursday (Feb. 17) afternoon at Canyon View Park as a part of the Courtyard by Marriott Leadoff Weekend.
 
The Mavericks fell behind early in the first inning after the Yellowjackets plated four runs thanks in large part to a three-run home run by James Anderson. But, Colorado Mesa immediately chipped away at the lead scoring two runs in the first inning on a Caleb Farmer RBI triple to left center followed by a Haydn McGeary sacrifice fly.
 
They evened the game up at 4-4 in the second inning as Farmer laced a two-run single through the left side of the infield. The senior finished the game 2-for-5 with a run scored and three runs driven in.
 
The Mavericks would take their first and last lead of the game in the third inning after scoring two runs to make it 6-4. The inning was highlighted by a no-doubt, home run off the bat of Spencer Bramwell. It was the senior catcher's first home run of the season.
 
Haydn McGeary finished the game 4-for-5 with two runs scored and two runs driven in while Chase Hamilton went 3-for-4 with a run scored and four runs driven in.
 
Colorado Mesa wound up scoring at least two-runs in seven of the eight innings they batted. They were only held scoreless during the fourth inning.
 
The Maverick hitters were able to chase MSU Billings starter Dylan Barkley after four innings. The reigning back-to-back GNAC pitcher of the week was handed his first loss after allowing eight runs on 11 hits, walked two and struck out two.
 
After a shaky start to the game for left-handed starter Ryan Day, he settled in to pitch four effective innings. In the first inning, Day allowed four runs on three hits, walked one and struck out three but allowed just one run on three hits in the final three innings of work. He didn't factor into the decision.
 
Gage Edwards earned the win in relief after pitching three innings of hitless baseball. Edwards (1-0) allowed just two walks and a strikeout in the 12 batters he faced. Edwards gave way to Blake Rohm who pitched the final two innings and allowed two hits, walked one and struck out four to close out the game.
 
The two teams will continue the series tomorrow afternoon beginning at 11:30am from Canyon View Park. They will play a doubleheader with the first game slated for nine innings followed by a seven-inning contest.