Grand Junction, Colorado -Â New Mexico Highlands Cowboys dropped both games of a Saturday doubleheader to Colorado Mesa Mavericks, falling 7-3 in the opener before a 16-0 setback in game two at The Diamond.
Game 1: Colorado Mesa 7, Highlands 3
New Mexico Highlands battled early in the opener and briefly tied the game before Colorado Mesa pulled away late for the 7-3 win.
The Mavericks jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning, but the Cowboys answered in the second when
Lubby Marrujo singled to drive in
Johnathan Davis and cut the deficit to 2-1.
Highlands tied the game in the fourth inning as Isaac McNair grounded out to second base to score
Nico Hilger. Colorado Mesa responded with a decisive four-run bottom of the fourth to take control of the game.
The Mavericks added another run in the fifth before New Mexico Highlands picked up a run in the seventh on an RBI single by
Ryan Rodriguez to close the scoring.
Hilger, Davis, McNair, Marrujo and Rodriguez each recorded a hit for the Cowboys.
Ramon Brion (1-1) took the loss after allowing six runs over four innings, while
Damon McRee worked two innings of relief.
Game 2: Colorado Mesa 16, Highlands 0
Colorado Mesa used a late offensive surge to complete the sweep in the second game.
The Mavericks built a 3-0 lead through the first two innings and extended the advantage to 5-0 with back-to-back solo home runs in the fourth.
Highlands starter
Aidan Joyce kept the Cowboys within reach through five innings, allowing five runs, three earned, while striking out five.
Colorado Mesa then broke the game open with an 11-run sixth inning.
New Mexico Highlands finished with four hits in the nightcap as
Jeremiah D'Arezzo,
Roman Basurto, Isaac McNair and
Ryan Rodriguez each recorded a hit.
The Cowboys will close out the four-game RMAC series against Colorado Mesa on Sunday at 12:00 pm.
