Grand Junction, Colorado - New Mexico Highlands built an early lead but ninth-ranked Colorado Mesa rallied late to defeat the Cowboys 10-9 in 10 innings on Friday afternoon at The Diamond in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference opener for both teams.
New Mexico Highlands falls to 5-10 overall and 0-1 in RMAC play, while Colorado Mesa improves to 15-2 overall and 1-0 in conference action.
The Cowboys collected 13 hits in the contest and jumped out to a big lead midway through the game. New Mexico Highlands broke a 1-1 tie with a six-run fourth inning to take a 7-1 advantage.
Alex Galvan started the rally with a two-run double to right center that scored
Jeremiah D'Arezzo and
Adrian Castenada.
Truett Ross followed with a two-run single to left that advanced to second on an error, and
Nico Hilger later added an RBI single.
Johnathan Davis capped the inning with an RBI single to give New Mexico Highlands the six-run cushion.
Colorado Mesa answered in the bottom half of the fourth with four runs to trim the lead to 7-5. The Mavericks added another run in the sixth on a solo home run to pull within one at 7-6.
New Mexico Highlands responded with two insurance runs in the seventh inning. Galvan delivered again with an RBI double down the left field line and Ross drove in another run with a ground out to push the Cowboys back in front 9-6.
The Mavericks chipped away late. Colorado Mesa scored twice in the eighth inning and tied the game in the ninth on an RBI single to force extra innings.
In the bottom of the 10th, Colorado Mesa completed the comeback when they pushed theĀ winning run on an RBI single to left field.
Galvan led the Cowboys offensively, going 3-for-5 with two doubles, two runs scored and three RBI. Ross added two hits and three RBI, while D'Arezzo, Webb-Tate and Davis each finished with two hits.
Anthony Reyes made the start on the mound for New Mexico Highlands and worked six innings, allowing six runs (five earned) while striking out four. Barry Miller Jr. pitched two innings in relief before
Cadin Gates took the loss after allowing the winning run in the 10th.
The Cowboys and Mavericks continue their RMAC series on Saturday afternoon in Grand Junction.
