GOLDEN – Led by 19 hits and eight combined RBI from Logan Smith and Nate Olinger, as well as a strong start from junior righty Ben Gilman, the Colorado School of Mines baseball team captured a series-opening 13-8 victory over CSU-Pueblo on Friday afternoon at Jim Darden Field.
Mines (15-15, 13-10 RMAC) got seven multi-hit performances out of the lineup in the win, including four three-hit efforts from Smith, sophomore Josh Martinez, junior Evan Brown and senior Derek Skrdlant.
Smith finished 3-for-5 at the dish, including a two-RBI triple in Mines' three-run second inning. The true freshman knocked in three runs total and also scored once out of the leadoff spot.
Olinger tied a career high with five RBI during the contest on a 2-for-5 batting line. He recorded three of his RBI on a bases-clearing double in Mines' three-run fourth frame. His five-RBI performance matches his output in Mines' 23-1 win over Adams State on April 6, 2013, in Golden.
Martinez (3-for-5) scored twice and recorded three singles during the game, Brown (3-for-5) scored three times and knocked in one and Skrdlant (3-for-5) matched Brown with a trio of runs and an RBI.
Junior Zach Bothwell (2-for-4, two runs) and senior Charlie Basil (2-for-5, run) recorded multi-hit games as well.
Gilman (4-4) got back to even on the season after limiting CSUP (17-17, 13-10 RMAC) to five runs (three earned) on 11 hits over six innings. The Albuquerque, N.M., native struck out six and walked two over 120 pitches. The victory was the 13th of Gilman's career, moving him into the top five overall in program history for the category.
Freshman Nathan Smythe earned a three-inning save – the first of his career - after surrendering three runs (all earned) on five hits and two walks. The Greeley product struck out three as well out of the bullpen.
Mike Fabrizio (5-2) suffered the loss for the ThunderWolves after allowing six runs (five earned) on seven hits in four innings before being ejected.
The Orediggers put up three runs in the second, three in the fourth, four in the fifth and three in the seventh on the way to the win.
