GRAND JUNCTION, Colorado - The St. Edward's baseball team split their doubleheader against #2 Colorado Mesa, losing game one 4-1 and then winning game two 7-4 to force the if-necessary game in the double elimination regional final.
Game One: CMU 4, SEU 1
SEU took an early lead in the bottom of the second on an RBI single to left field by Eric Worden, bringing the score to 1-0.
The Mavericks tied the game on an RBI single to center field in the third.
The game remained a 1-1 tie until the top of the ninth, when the Mavericks drove in three runs to take a late 4-1 lead.
The Hilltoppers brought the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the ninth but fell short, losing 4-1.
Jack Granack pitched eight innings, allowing two runs on ten hits while striking out five batters in the loss.
Game Two: SEU 7, CMU 4
Kyler Kerlin drove in the game's first run on a sacrifice fly to right field to bring the score to 1-0.
In the bottom of the second, two home runs for the Mavericks gave them a 3-1 advantage.
In the third, the Hilltoppers responded with a two-run inning to tie the game at 3-3. Cullen Ainsworth and Eric Worden each had RBI singles to left field to tie the game.
After the Mavericks scored a run in the bottom of the fourth to take a 4-3 lead, Turner Olson smacked a solo home run over the left-field wall in the top of the fifth to tie the game again at 4-4.
The game would remain tied until the top of the ninth, when Turner Olson drove in the go-ahead run on an RBI double to left-center. Then Stacey Bailey added insurance runs with a two-run homer to left-center field making the score 7-4.
Luke Short pitched eight innings allowing three earned runs on eight hits while striking out nine batters in the win. Austin Essex pitched a clean ninth inning to shut the door on the Mavericks.
The Hilltoppers are back in action Saturday afternoon with their season on the line in a win-or-go-home matchup against #2 Colorado Mesa. First pitch is set for 2 pm CST. You can catch the action with live video or live stats.
