GOLDEN, Colo. – Extreme winds highlighted Friday's series opener between the Colorado School of Mines Baseball team and Regis as the Rangers dealt the Orediggers a 13-8 loss at Jim Darden Field.
 
Mines' Alex Bumpus did everything he could to put the team on his back in the leadoff spot by scoring four runs on three hits including one double and one home run. Adam Houghtaling also swung a hot bat, going 2-for-4 with two doubles which resulted in two runs and one RBI. Also notable was Caden Bonds' 3-for-5 day as he crossed the plate once as well. I-Ly Hsue and Danny McDermott joined the multi-hit performances, notching two knocks apiece. McDermott added one run and one RBI. Hsue and Luke Folsom collected a RBI each as well.
 
On the mound, Blake Ripp (2-3) got the start and also took the loss despite tying for the longest outing of his career at 5.1 innings. He walked five and gave up eight runs on six hits with one strikeout. Marcus Lee and Zachary Kriethe provided a combined 1.2 innings of relief with similar results. Brayden Weyer closed the game and locked it down by striking out three batters in 2.0 innings while allowing zero runs on just two hits.
 
Mines (24-14, 9-12 RMAC) matched Regis (23-19-1, 16-9 RMAC) in the hit column as each side collected 15 apiece. However, the Orediggers downfall came from three fielding errors, 14 strikeouts and 10 men left on base. The Rangers compounded the home team's mistakes by racking up eight hits for extra bases including six doubles and two triples. Mines had the only home run of the game and had its pitching staff strike out seven Regis hitters. Rangers' winning pitcher Justin Kleinsorge (4-3) accounted for 10 of his team's 14 strikeouts.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Friday dawned as a clear, sunny day with warm – even hot – temperatures and relatively calm conditions. However, it was all seated on a throne of lies. By game time, clouds and dust covered Jim Darden Field as temperatures dropped and the wind kicked up. Even so, the conditions combined with five Regis runs in the first two innings were nothing compared to the middle two thirds of the game. Even though Mines tempered the Ranger outburst with Houghtaling's RBI double and Folsom's RBI single, the visitors rolled into the heart of the game with a 5-2 advantage.
 
As winds began to gust upwards of 40 mph, Regis took advantage of the situation and put the ball in the air. That approach and the conditions made every fly ball anything but routine. The result was two RU runs in the fourth, two in the sixth and four in the seventh. That being said, the Orediggers attempted two rally on multiple occasions. The first shot was a two-run fifth where Bumpus led off with a home run and Houghtaling later scored thanks to the bat of Hsue. Those runs pulled Mines within three runs at 7-4. The next attempt came off multiple Regis miscues as the Orediggers racked up three runs in the bottom of the sixth off a balk and a throwing error to make the score 9-7.
 
Unfortunately for the hosts, RU's four-run frame came right after. But Mines had one more comeback attempt in the bottom of the ninth. Houghtaling led off with a double. McDermott smacked a two-out single and scored Houghtaling. Bonds followed that with a two-out, infield single. With the runners on first and second, Keene Tanaka – who had come off the bench to player catcher – sent a two-ball, one-strike pitch on a trajectory towards Clear Creek. However, the wind kept the ball just feet short of flying out of the park and the Rangers closed out the 13-8 victory.
 
NOTABLES
- Friday's result dropped Mines to 121-81 in the all-time series against Regis.
- The home run for Bumpus was the fifth of his career with the Orediggers. His double was his eighth of the season.
- Additionally, Bumpus' four runs scored tied the individual season high for Mines. Folsom is the only other Oredigger to score four times in a game in 2022 and he has done it twice.
- Nine innings in the series opener lasted three hours and 37 minutes.
- Houghtaling extended his hitting streak to 11 consecutive games.
- Toby Scoles has reached base safely in 18 straight appearances and Moeck has done the same in 17 straight games.
- Coach Bales holds an overall record of 86-55 in his fourth season as the head coach at Mines.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
The Orediggers return home to host Regis next Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Jim Darden Field. Tickets can be purchased online or at the gate. Live stats and video on the RMAC Network will be offered for free at www.minesathletics.com
 
Fans can follow Mines baseball on Twitter at @OrediggersBSB. They can also follow all of Mines Athletics on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @MinesAthletics, and online at www.minesathletics.com.