Lakewood, Colorado - New Mexico Highlands and Colorado Christian split a high-scoring RMAC doubleheader Friday at All Star Park, with both teams now sitting at 12-26 overall and 7-23 in conference play entering Saturday's season finale.
Game 1: New Mexico Highlands 11, Colorado Christian 7
New Mexico Highlands rode an early offensive surge and a complete-game effort from
Andrew Baltazar to take the opener, 11-7.
The Cowboys erupted for six runs in the second inning, highlighted by a three-run home run from
Johnathan Davis.
Taiga Sato,
Tamden Webb-Tate, and Adrian Castaneda each drove in runs in the frame as New Mexico Highlands built a 6-0 lead.
Colorado Christian answered in the fourth, tying the game at 6-6 behind a two-run single and a grand slam. New Mexico Highlands responded immediately, reclaiming the lead in the sixth on an RBI single from Castaneda and a sacrifice fly by Davis.
Insurance came in the seventh as
Nico Hilger delivered a two-run double and another run scored on a CCU error.
Baltazar (3-6) went the distance, allowing seven runs on 11 hits while striking out five. The complete game marked his fourth of the season, and New Mexico Highlands now has eight complete games on the year - the most in the RMAC.
Davis led the offense, going 3-for-4 with four RBI, while Sato added three hits and two runs scored. Castaneda finished with two hits and two RBI, and Webb-Tate crossed the plate three times.
Game 2: Colorado Christian 16, New Mexico Highlands 6
Colorado Christian responded with a big offensive performance in the nightcap, defeating New Mexico Highlands 16-6.
The Cowboys struck first in the opening inning, taking a 1-0 lead on a wild pitch that allowed Adrian Castaneda to score. However, the Cougars answered quickly and took control with a two-run second inning before erupting for six runs in the third and seven more in the fourth to build a commanding 15-1 advantage.
New Mexico Highlands showed fight late, plating two runs in the sixth on RBI hits from
Jeremiah D'Arezzo and
Anthony Carrillo. The Cowboys added three more in the seventh, highlighted by RBI doubles from
Brennan Carbonell and
Seth Galfano.
Damon McRee (1-4) took the loss for New Mexico Highlands, with the Cowboys using five pitchers in the game.
At the plate, Carbonell and D'Arezzo each recorded two hits, while Galfano drove in two runs.
Johnathan Davis also collected two hits in the contest.
Up Next
The two teams will conclude the 2026 season Saturday with a doubleheader in Lakewood. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 pm.
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