COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado - The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs tallied a doubleheader sweep of the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats on Saturday.
The Mountain Lions took the first one, 18-6, and followed it up with a 13-3 win in the final game of the three-game set.
Game 1
The Bearcat offense got it going early, plating two runs in the top of the first and taking an early advantage 2-0. Sophomore outfielder Jordan Peck and senior infielder Calvin Rudolph notched doubles during the inning, accounting for both RBIs.
Colorado Springs answered with three runs of its own in the bottom of the first, upping the score to 3-2 and stealing a lead it would not give up.
After a scoreless second inning by both squads, the Mountain Lions added six runs in the third, five in the fourth and four in the fifth to jump out to a commanding lead over the ‘Cats.
Northwest successfully plated two run in the top of the fifth, following senior first baseman Connor Quick's double and sacrifice fly from junior infielder Peter Carlson.
Down 18-4, the Bearcats went back to work in the batter’s box, scoring two more runs in the seventh inning before the third out was earned and ending the contest 18-6 in favor of UCCS.
Junior Spencer Hanson got the start of the mound for Northwest, lasting two innings. Facing 17 batters, Hanson allowed seven runs (seven earned) on eight hits. Redshirt freshman Thomas Henrichs, Elijah Ecton and sophomore Daniel Smith also made appearances on the bump for the Bearcats.
Game 2
The Bearcats jumped out to an early 2-1 lead after three innings during the second game of the Saturday doubleheader, large scoring innings by the Mountain Lions once again plagued Northwest.
Colorado Springs notched five runs in the home half of the fourth, one in the fifth and six runs in the eighth inning to build a sizeable advantage.
With two outs in the top of the seventh, the Bearcats rallied to cross junior outfielder Matt Gastner after three singles by Gastner, sophomore Ryan Koski and redshirt freshman Trevor Dooley made their way into the outfield grass.
The Bearcats dropped game three of the three-game set with UCCS, 13-3.
On the bump, senior lefty Quintin Van Ackeren got the start for Northwest. Van Ackeren dealt five and 1/3 innings, allowing seven runs (seven earned) on 10 hits and adding two strikeouts to his 2020 resume.
Northwest will attempt to halt its six-game losing streak Feb. 28 during its first home appearance of the season in three-game, Friday-Sunday stint against Northeastern State. First pitch in game one is scheduled for 2 p.m. in Maryville.
NOTES: Quick extended his consecutive reached base streak to 14 games … Quick also owns team-high hitting streak (four games) … the Bearcat offense tallied six doubles on the day.
--- Northwest Athletics ---