GOLDEN – Visiting No. 4/8 Colorado Mesa scored in six of the final seven innings to take a series-opening 8-3 victory over the Colorado School of Mines baseball team in the first game of Friday's doubleheader at Jim Darden Field. 

Mines (23-19, 21-14 RMAC) used an RBI single by junior Zach Bothwell in the sixth inning to cut the score to 5-3, but the Mavericks (35-9, 29-6 RMAC) used a pair of solo home runs by reigning NCBWA National Hitter of the Week Jordan Liester over the final two innings to take the 8-3 win. 

Sophomore Tommy Rodgers (4-2) suffered the loss after allowing five runs (four earned) on five hits in four innings. The Littleton product was plagued by control issues, leading to four walks and four hit batsmen in his four innings. Classmate Christian Rooney allowed three runs (all earned) on six hits with three strikeouts and a walk in five innings of relief out of the pen. 

Senior Charlie Basil led the offense with a 3-for-4 batting line with an RBI. His three-hit performance moves the Wheat Ridge product into a tie for third in program history with Terry Packer (1999-02) with 211 career base knocks. 

Freshman Cody Marvel finished 2-for-4 with a run scored and senior Derek Skrdlant finished 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored to close out Mines' three multi-hit efforts in the contest. 

Sophomore Josh Martinez (2-for-4, RBI), junior A.J. Schillinger (1-for-3, run) and Bothwell (1-for-3, RBI) notched hits as well. 

Matt Delay (7-0) captured the win for CMU after allowing three runs (all earned) on eight hits with two strikeouts over six innings. Matt Allen earned his second save of the season with three innings of two-hit, shutout relief.