Mines (0-8, 0-8 RMAC) at CSU Pueblo (3-9, 1-7 RMAC) – Friday, 2 p.m. – Pueblo, Colo. [Live Stats] [Live Video]
Mines (0-8, 0-8 RMAC) at CSU Pueblo (3-9, 1-7 RMAC) – Saturday, 12 p.m. – DH – Pueblo, Colo. [Live Stats] [Live Video]
Mines (0-8, 0-8 RMAC) at CSU Pueblo (3-9, 1-7 RMAC) – Sunday, 12 p.m. – Pueblo, Colo. [Live Stats] [Live Video]
 

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THE FLIP
This weekend, the Colorado School of Mines Baseball team was set to host CSU Pueblo at Jim Darden Field. However, historic snowfall last weekend made baseball in Golden impossible. That led to "the flip", which means the four-game series will be played in Pueblo, Colo., but the Orediggers will still be the home team on the scoreboard. The games will still count as road and home for Mines and CSU Pueblo, respectively. But, as the Orediggers seek their first win of the season, they'll take any advantage they can get – including batting last. The series starts with a single game on Friday at 2 p.m. and continues Saturday with a doubleheader at 12 p.m. Sunday's finale is slated for 12 p.m. as well with all four games being played at Rawlings Field.
 
SPECTATORS POLICY FOR THIS WEEKEND
CSU Pueblo has a limited fan attendance policy, outlined on their web site. Masks and social distancing are required at all times. Tickets will only be sold at the gate on the day of the game and only cash is accepted.
 
GROUND RULES
The biggest change to this season for NCAA Division II baseball is a truncated schedule as teams can only play a maximum of 40 regular-season contests this season. The RMAC schedule and postseason will operate normally, with the RMAC Tournament determining the conference's qualifier to the NCAA Championships. Until further notice, no spectators will be admitted to Mines home games due to university policy; road contests may have different policies and those will be posted on the Mines Baseball schedule at minesathletics.com and on social media as they're determined.
 
FOLLOW LIVE
Every Mines home game and all RMAC games can be seen live and for free on the RMAC Network at www.minesathletics.com/tv. Additionally, the Orediggers' home games will feature play-by-play commentary from Miles Dunklin who covered a handful of games during the shortened 2020 season. Unfortunately, this weekend's change of venue means there will be no play-by-play commentary. The RMAC Network can also be found on Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire and Android TV devices by going to the app store and searching "RMAC". Fans can also follow @OrediggersBSB on Twitter for live in-game updates.
 
LOOKING BACK
Last weekend, Mines traveled to Grand Junction for a four-game set against #5-ranked Colorado Mesa, and the Mavericks lived up to their ranking. The Orediggers dropped game one on Friday by score of 9-1 and experienced the same tally Saturday in the first game of the doubleheader. In the final two games, CMU stepped on the gas with wins of 22-5 and 25-0. Despite the results, the weekend was not without some bright spots. Nash Neff notched the first hit of his career and it happened to be a moonshot home run. True freshman Wayne Moeck continued his hot start and the plate and led Mines' offense by hitting .357 with two runs and two RBI on five hits including two doubles. I-Ly Hsue matched Moeck's .357 average while scoring three runs on five hits with two doubles as well. On the mound, Brayden Weyer, Gavan Blackburn, Jackson Bakovich and Cannon Sims all produced 0.00 ERAs out of the bullpen. Weyer led the way with two appearances totaling 2.2 innings of one-run, two-hit work.
 
WEATHER REPORT
Since fans are allowed at this weekend's games, we thought it prudent to include a weather report. As of Thursday morning, it's going to be sunny and 70 degrees. That's about all you need to know about that.
 
SCOUTING CSU PUEBLO
CSU Pueblo started the season with a strong showing against a tough Emporia State team out of the MIAA. The ThunderWolves earned a 2-2 split with the Hornets before suffering a RMAC sweep at the hands of Regis and a series loss to MSU Denver. Due to weather adjustments, CSU Pueblo finds itself playing the first 16 games of the 2021 schedule at home. Individually, Aidan Welch serves as the top bat for "The Pack". He doesn't have the teams highest average, but does hit .405 with nine runs and 11 RBI on 15 hits including two doubles and one home run. Logan Gibbons supplies the power by hitting .447 and slugging .763 thanks to three doubles, three triples and one home run. On the mound, Brett Matthews is CSU Pueblo's ace. He is 2-1 in three starts, touting a 2.08 ERA with 22 strikeouts over 13 innings of work.   
 
WHAT'S A THUNDERWOLF
We know this is on repeat, but explaining a ThunderWolf really never gets old. In short, it's a made up animal and the nickname for CSU Pueblo Athletics. In the context of CSU Pueblo, the ThunderWolf is a mythical creature intertwined in legend with colors reflecting Colorado's diverse geography. However, maybe a little history is in order. Colorado State University at Pueblo was previously known as the University of Southern Colorado with Indians as the nickname of its athletics teams. However according to CSU Pueblo's athletics website, "The University of Southern Colorado (now Colorado State University at Pueblo) adopted the "ThunderWolf" as its mascot prior to the 1995-96 academic school year. The ThunderWolf came to life as USC looked to modernize its image following over 60 years of being known as the "Indians." The term Thunder Wolf (Thunderwolf/Thunderwolves) is part of a number of pop-culture references, but, as previously mentioned, is not actually part of the existing animal kingdom.
 
SERIES HISTORY
CSU Pueblo only revived its baseball program in 1996. The records available in the all-time series only date back to 2007. In the 14 years available, "The Pack" hold a 42-32 advantage in the rivalry. However, Mines' recent success has the Orediggers riding a seven-game win streak against its southern nemesis. Mines hasn't lost to CSU Pueblo since an 11-5 decision on March 11, 2018, at Jim Darden Field. Despite that slipup, the Orediggers are also 12-1 against the ThunderWolves over the last 13 matchups. Last season's cancellation kept the two teams from meeting. The most recent meeting between Mines and CSU Pueblo was May 9, 2019 in the RMAC Tournament. It was a 6-0 lead for the Orediggers before a furious rally by "The Pack". However, Walter Pennington walked away with the 8.2-inning win while Tyler Blomster notched the one-out save.
 
RAWLINGS FIELD
Rawlings Field at Rawlings Sports Complex is the home of CSU Pueblo baseball. The facility opened in 1994 and boasts capacity for 2,500 fans. The complex was made possible with a $1 million gift from the publisher of the local newspaper, Robert H. Rawlings. In 2008, the baseball field was fitted with a synthetic turf backstop and infield. Lights were added in 2009. There is limited chair-back seating with rest of the stands made up of metal bleachers. Thankfully, baseball is played in the spring and allows fans to avoid the annual tarantula migration. A $4 million, two-phase renovation project began in 2020 to update Rawlings Field. Phase one renovations included new synthetic turf covering the entire field, a new locker room, a new clubhouse, and new coaches offices. Additionally, the Rawlings Field updates included a brand new Daktronics scoreboard, a new outfield fence, a new speaker system. Fans at night games will be able to see better thanks to a new and improved lighting system for Rawlings Field.
 
EARLY LEADERS
The Oredigger youth are coming out strong in the early going. Redshirt freshman I-Ly Hsue is tops on the team with a .370 batting average along with six runs scored. True freshman Wayne Moeck touts a .360 average that is complimented by five doubles and seven RBI. Danny McDermott leads the squad with two home runs through eight games. On the mound, Brayden Weyer has proven the top option out of the bullpen. He leads Mines with three appearances and boasts a 0.00 ERA over 6.0 innings of work. Drew Hill remains the Orediggers' strikeout leader thanks to 11 on the season.
 
LOOKING AHEAD
Mines' next action is the infamous RMAC pod running March 26-28. This year's edition is in Colorado Springs featuring the Orediggers, UCCS and New Mexico Highlands. Live stats and video of all four games will be available at www.minesathletics.com.