Pack claims sweep behind all-around effort

Game 1: CSU-Pueblo 8, Regis 2
Game 2: CSU-Pueblo 8, Regis 4

The Pack displayed its most consistent baseball of the season Saturday, scoring a doubleheader sweep of a tough Regis team by 8-2 and 8-4 scores.

Riding the arms of "Friday night" pitcher Mario Mattivi (Sr., Pueblo, Colo.) and closer Jesus Hernandez (Sr., Tucson, Ariz.), among others, the ThunderWolves held a potent Regis attack, which entered Saturday 2nd in the RMAC batting average and runs per game, to just six runs over two games.

The key was the start by Mattivi, who pitched seven strong innings, giving up just four hits and allowing one run, none earned, while striking out seven.  Mattivi improved to 4-0 in the season with the win, giving him the top win total and record among RMAC pitchers.

Mattivi excelled behind a workmanlike effort at the plate by the Pack hitters, led by Tony Pechek (Sr., Pueblo, Colo.), who hit the cover off the ball in both games, going 6-for-7 combined over the two games, and finishing a homer away from the cycle.  Nine-hole hitter Mike Sanchez (Jr., Pueblo, Colo.) benefitted from the hitting display, leading the Pack in RBI with three, going 3-for-7 over the two games, knocking in all three in game one.

In game two, Dustin Timmins (Sr., Alamosa, Colo.) shook off a shaky start to push his 2009 mark to 3-0 behind a 13-hit effort by the Pack, who never trailed in either game.

CSU-Pueblo will look to secure the series win and hopefully a sweep Sunday when the series closes out in another doubleheader at Rawlings Field.  First pitch is at 12 p.m.