Mesa keeps up barrage, sweeps double dip from Pack
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By Nate Pepper
The Mesa State Mavericks were able continue their dominance over
the ThunderWolves by winning both games in the conference
doubleheader Friday at Rawlings Field.
The Mavericks were able to jump to an early five-run lead in the first game against CSUP right-hander Matt Davitt. Mesa State never looked back after the quick start that they got off to, hitting the ball hard all game long and winning the game by a score of 14-4, handing CSU-Pueblo their fifth straight loss.
Mavericks' right hander T.J. Butch improved his record to 3-0 record and was able to hold the Thunderwolves to four runs on nine hits in six innings. The Thunderwolves were able to score three runs in the bottom of the third inning with a couple of clutch hits and a double by Jon Proesl to bring the score within three runs, but were unable to do any further damage that inning.
Offensively, Mesa State hit four home runs off Davitt, logging 18 hits.
In the second game of the doubleheader, the Thunderwolves put some offense together, but it was not enough to get past the red-hot Mavericks, who outlasted the Pack 19-15.
Mesa State pitcher Jack Amidei was bounced out early after giving up seven runs on six hits in 1-2/3 innings. Though Amidei got rocked, Pack starter Joe Proto fared no better, giving up eight runs in the first inning, leaving the game out of reach for all intents and purposes. Proto eventually gave up 19 runs on 21 hits, both of which tied NCAA Division II all-time records.
After Mesa's big first inning, the Thunderwolves stormed back in the bottom of the 2nd with a three-run homerun by Thomas Cordova to bring the Pack within one run, 8-7.
The top of the third inning, however, was a struggle for the Thunderwolves as they gave up six runs and a huge three-run homer to Kyle Hogue, giving Mesa a 14-7 lead.
The Mesa State Mavericks have been putting up the numbers so far during the first three games of this series. This loss for the Thunderwolves puts them on a six-game losing streak with still one more game in the series tomorrow against the Mesa State Mavericks. The Pack will look to avoid a spiral toward the all-time longest losing streak of eight, set by the 1998 team.
