Pack splits with Highlands

LAS VEGAS, N.M. - Four players had three hits apiece as Colorado State University-Pueblo defeated New Mexico Highlands University 9-6 to gain a split of a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference baseball series Saturday.

The Cowboys won the opener 11-3.

The teams complete their four-game series with another doubleheader today.

Rutger Bovard, Jon Proesl, Nick Balentine and Mike Sanchez were a combined 12-for-16 as the Pack erupted for 17 hits in the second game. Bovard scored two runs and Proesl and Balentine had two RBIs apiece.

Joe Proto picked up the win on the mound for the Pack to improve to 2-4. He received relief help from Chris Garcia, who threw two innings of shutout ball to pick up the save.

Despite outhitting the Cowboys 10-9, CSU-Pueblo dropped the opener. Highlands poured across nine runs in the third inning to build a 10-3 advantage.

The Pack (19-21 overall, 10-14 RMAC) left 10 runners on base. Highlands (20-22, 8-18) left five.