The NMHU Cowboys lost their first game of the NCAA DII Central Region Tournament to the first seeded Mavericks of Minnesota State University. Because it is a double-elimination tournament, the Cowboys hopes remain alive as they will play against the winner of the Regis Univ. vs. St. Cloud State matchup tonight, 5/19, at 7 pm CST.
Minnesota State started the game quickly on offense. The Mavericks scored two runs in the top of the first inning to take a 2-0 lead.
Neither team was able to score in the second inning, but the Cowboys managed to score their first run in the bottom of the third inning. They cut the lead to 2-1.
The Mavericks answered back with a run in the top of the fourth inning and extended their lead to 6-1 with three more runs in the fifth inning.
Both teams were scoreless through the sixth and seventh innings until the Cowboys scored their second run of the game in the bottom of the eighth inning, cutting the Maverick to 6-2. But it wouldn't be enough as the Mavericks closed out the ninth inning to take the 6-2 victory.
Matt Gualco (5-3) was credited with the loss for the Cowboys. He started the game and faced 23 batters. Gualco allowed six runs on seven hits, but only five of his runs were earned. He struck out two batters and walked two in his four and two-thirds innings pitched.
David Saiz threw four innings in relief for the Cowboys. He allowed no runs on five hits and walked two against the 19 batters he faced.
Nicasio Gonzalez threw a third of an inning and recorded the out against the only batter he faced in the game.
The Cowboys' offense was not able to generate much offense in the game. They combined for a .212 team batting average, with two runs on seven hits.
Thomas King and
Chris Pile were the offensive leaders in the game for the Cowboys.
King finished the game 2-4 at the plate with two runs scored and an RBI. Pile was 2-3 at the plate with an RBI.
The Cowboys are still alive in the NCAA DII Central Region Championships, in Mankato, Minn. They will play again at 7 pm CST tonight (5/19) against the winner of this afternoon's Regis University and St. Cloud State match-up.
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GO COWBOYS!!!
