Denver, Co- The New Mexico Highlands University Baseball team fell in their series opener against the Metropolitan State University-Denver Road Runners, 2-6. The Cowboys fall to 6-10 overall and 2-2 RMAC.
Senior pitcher Phil Trujillo had a solid start to the game as he shut out the Road Runnerdd for the first two innings, allowing only two hits.
Finally in the bottom of the third, the Road Runners rallied for three runs, taking the 3-0 lead over the Cowboys heading into the top of the fourth.
Junior James Cordova was the only Cowboy to reach base in the top of the fifth as he hit a single, but he would be left stranded. Trujillo only faced one batter in the bottom of the inning before being relieved by Junior Kyle Bedsole. The Road Runners score three more runs off of three hits, giving them a 6-0 lead.
Seniors Brad Blackwell and James McCarty both knocked in singles in the top of the sixth inning, but they could not find home before their side was retired. Bedsole only lasted one inning before he was relieved by Senior Corey Nelson. Nelson allowed two hits in the bottom of the inning, but he got out of the inning with no damage done.
Junior Codie Simmons found himself on base with a walk in the top of the seventh inning. He was able to advance to second off of a wild pitch by the Road Runners. Sophomore Joseph Cilladi also walked, giving the Cowboys two runners on with two outs. Senior Easton Garcia hit a single to bring Simmons home, giving his team their first run of the day. Them Blackwell stepped up and doubled, allowing Cilladi to get home, making the score 2-6 with the Road Runners in front.
Cordova got on base in the top of the eighth with a single, but he would be the last Cowboys to reach base in the game as they fell, 2-6.
The Cowboys will continue their series against the Road Runners tomorrow, March 11th, at 12:00 p.m.
Go Cowboys!
