Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 LAKEWOOD, Colo. – The Colorado Mesa baseball secured a pair of lopsided wins in a doubleheader sweep of the Colorado Christian Cougars on Friday (Mar. 24) afternoon at All-Star Park, giving their head coach a monumental milestone.
 
Colorado Mesa had another offensive onslaught and a dominant pitching performance in a 15-0 mercy-rule win in game one which sealed head coach Chris Hanks' 1,000^th win as the coach for the Mavericks.
 
David Craig was fantastic in his first start of the season to improve to 3-0. Craig pitched six shutout innings as he allowed just four hits, walked three and struck out five in 69 total pitches.
 
Jacob Rhoades pitched the final two innings of shutout baseball.
 
The Mavericks scored in six of the eight innings of the game and cranked out 14 hits with eight of the nine starters recording a hit in the game.
 
Harrison Rodgers and Christos Stefanos continued their hot hitting on first day of two doubleheaders. Rodgers finished the game 3-for-5 with two doubles, two runs scored, and two runs driven in. Rodgers' RBI double in the third inning got the Mavericks on the board while also driving in the eighth run of the day on a sacrifice fly to centerfield which brought in Conrad Villafuerte.
 
Stefanos went 2-for-3 with three runs scored and four runs driven in including his second home run of the season. He sent a 1-1 pitch deep to left field for a solo home run in the fourth before backing it up with a two-run single to right field in the fifth that plated Caleb Thomasen and Rodgers. Stefanos finished up his scoring with a RBI hit by pitch in the eighth.
 
Julian Boyd homered in the fourth inning as a part of back-to-back home runs with Stefanos.
 
Coach Hanks' son, Jared, received a pinch-hit in the top of the eighth inning and walked before playing defense. He was on the field for when the final out was recorded on win No. 1000.
 
In the night cap, the Maverick stampede continued in a 17-2 win over the Cougars. Stats and box scores were not available at time of release.
 
With the win in game one of the day, head coach Chris Hanks becomes the 22^nd coach in NCAA Division II history to reach 1,000 wins in their career. He is the eighth active head coach to accomplish the feat but is the fastest to accomplish it of any of the 21 other coaches as he reached it during his 25^th season.
 
He entered the year ranked 23rd in NCAA Division II all-time in wins and has since moved up to No. 22 on the list. Once he reaches 1,070 wins in his career, he would move into the NCAA Baseball all-time wins list at No. 49.
 
There are approximately 60 NCAA coaches to reach 1,000 wins in their career across the three levels led by recently retired Florida State head coach Mike Martin who amassed 2,029 wins in his 40-year career at Florida State. Mike Metheny of Southeastern Oklahoma holds the NCAA Division II mark at 1,324 wins.
 
Coach Hanks' first win came on February 11, 1999 in St. George, Utah when his Mavericks defeated Southern Utah, 9-6.
 
Colorado Mesa and Colorado Christian will complete their series tomorrow with a doubleheader beginning at Noon.
 

What people are saying about the 1,000 win milestone for Coach Hanks:
 
"Coach Hanks, I just wanted to wish you the very best on this great accomplishment.  Not only have you won 1,000 games you have been a great ambassador for this game and for Colorado Mesa.  I wish you continued success!"
Bobby Applegate, Head Baseball Coach, CSU Pueblo
 
"Congratulations on achieving this historic mark of 1,000 wins.  This isn't something one sets out to accomplish but is the result from decades of determination, discipline, and perseverance.  These are also the very same qualities you have instilled into your teams and players over the years.  This is truly a remarkable achievement. "
Bruce Del Tondo, Head Baseball Coach, Adams State
 
"Unreal accomplishment and to do it the right way! Great mentor of young men teaching that hard work and discipline through our great game! Definitely someone who I have looked up to since his day's playing at CSI for my old man. One of, if not the best players in our program's history! Congratulations well deserved "
Boomer Walker, Head Baseball Coach, College of Southern Idaho
 
"As a young coach starting off my career in Grand Junction. I was fortunate to observe Chris build his program. I watched Chris and his staff take Mesa State, a program knocking on the door of being ranked and trying to get over the challenge of getting through a Regional, to a now blue blood nationally recognized Colorado Mesa program that has consistently won titles and expects to be in Super Regional's and World Series' each season. "Skip" (also his Juco coach's nickname) has served on many committees locally, regionally and nationally and continues to be a profound voice and advocate for our great game. He has an unmatched work ethic and his teams showcase his great attention to detail year in a year out. Coach Hanks has set the standard and I am truly grateful to have experienced one of the best baseball minds at any level! I consider Chris to be a mentor of mine and a coach who's advice I seek. Thank You Coach for setting a great example for us young coaches and Congrats on a job well done!! Please don't let up, we're all better for been associated with you."
Robby Bales, Head Baseball Coach, Colorado School of Mines
 
"I've known Chris for a long time since he started as the head coach at Mesa State and now Colorado Mesa University.  Several of my high school teammates played for Chris during his early years. Chris set the standard of excellence for college baseball in our state. I knew when I came back home to be the head coach at MSU Denver, Chris and his teams would be my biggest challenge.  Congrats Chris on your amazing accomplishment!"
Ryan Strain, Head Baseball Coach, MSU Denver
 
"What an amazing accomplishment to win 1,000 games as a coach!  I have enjoyed battling against his teams over the years at Colorado Mesa.  He always has his teams prepared and they always play hard and play the game with respect.  He is truly one of the best in our profession and I wish him continued success, except when he plays the Rams."
Kevin Brooks, Head Baseball Coach, Angelo State University
 
"Coach Hanks, congratulations!  This is a true testament of the tough, competitive teams you have built over the last 25 years.  You have not only made our conference better, but division 2 baseball, as a whole, better!  Thank you, and again congratulations for reaching this milestone!"
Drew LaComb, Head Baseball Coach, Regis University
 
"Coach Hanks has been a constant at our level of baseball for quite some time. His teams have always been competitive, prepared, and a reflection of his values that speak to his extreme success in this game long term. 1000 wins is rarefied air and Coach Hanks belongs there. He's grown the game at Colorado Mesa and nationally and continues to lend his time to doing that for our sport. We have always enjoyed competing against his clubs because it brings out the best in us. (Yes we've been a part of the 1,000) Congratulations to Chris on this achievement and here's to 1000 more coach!"
Kyle Crookes, Head Baseball Coach, University of Central Missouri
 
"Congratulations Chris on reaching an amazing milestone from The University of Tampa baseball program. Wow!!!! 1,000 WINS!!! I hope you are able to reflect on the many young men you have helped developed into great baseball players and winners on and off the field. Continued success!!"
Joe Urso, Head Baseball Coach, University of Tampa
 
"I respect Coach Hanks as much as anyone that I have coached against, at any level. He is as steady as they come and continuously put a tremendous product on the field. His teams are relentless, which I believe is a trait that they get from him. He is a great offensive mind and because of that, his teams are never out of a game. As the game has evolved with the change in bats, baseball, etc., I have seen Coach Hanks be fluid and flexible along with the game. When I first coached against Coach, it was 2008, when I was at Chico State University. At the time, college baseball was super offensive and Mesa was as offensive as they came. His team was physical and could really hit, but they lacked a little on the mound and defensively. As the bats transitioned in 2011, so did the Colorado Mesa baseball team. Coach Hanks was fast to put more emphasis on defense and pitching and boy did they. Coach Hanks transitioned a once offensive minded program into a club that could defend at a high level, run, and really pitch. I look at Coach Hanks as a mentor, a colleague, and a friend. I am proud to have competed against him and even more proud to call him a friend."
Chris Pfatenhauer, Head Baseball Coach, Utah Tech University
 
"Congratulations Chris on achieving such an incredible milestone. The continuity of running your program at such a high level is really amazing. Chico State Baseball" has a lot of respect for you and Colorado Mesa Baseball. WAY TO GO!"
Dave Taylor, Head Baseball Coach, Chico State University