ThunderWolves split with Mesa State

Game 1: Mesa State 8, CSU-Pueblo 0
Game 2: CSU-Pueblo 12, Mesa State 5

The ThunderWolves came away with their third doubleheader split of the season Friday when they claimed a 12-5 win over Mesa State after falling 8-0 to the Mavericks.

The Pack bats were solved in the opener when Scott Bachman shutout the ThunderWolves, only allowing six hits.  But it was evident the ThunderWolves shrugged off that lackluster offensive performance when Mark Sayas (Sr., Las Vegas, Nev.) went long-ball to start the back end of the doubleheader, firing a homer over the left centerfield fence to start the bottom of the first inning.  It began a four-run first for the ThunderWolves, and the Pack ultimately torched the Mavericks for 14 hits in the seven-inning game.

Joaquin Montano (Jr., Pueblo, Colo.) made his bid to emerge as the early ace of the staff, moving to 2-0 after a pitching 4-1/3 innings, striking out five and allowing six hits.  The game was wrapped by a stellar relief appearance by Nate Perlitsh (Sr., Thousand Oaks, Calif.), who allowed just one hit and struck out four in 2-2/3 innings of relief work.

Sayas was the offensive leader for the Pack in the second game, going 2-for-4 with 3 RBI.  Jerry Salazar (Sr., Pueblo, Colo.) matched that line, also going 2-for-4 with 3 RBI.

CSU-Pueblo will continue the final two games of this four-game set Saturday with another doubleheader, beginning at noon at Rawlings Field.