Mines (2-6) at CSU Pueblo (1-10) – Friday, 2 p.m. – Pueblo, Colo. [Live Stats] [RMAC Network]
Mines (2-6) vs. #13 MSU Denver – Saturday, 12 p.m. – Jim Darden Field [Live Stats] [RMAC Network]
Mines (2-6) vs. Regis (7-7) – Sunday, 12 p.m. – Jim Darden Field [Live Stats] [RMAC Network]
Mines (2-6) vs. Colorado Christian (2-7-1) – Sunday, 3 p.m. – Jim Darden Field [Live Stats] [RMAC Network]

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RMAC ROUND-ROBIN
After 11 days off from competition, the Colorado School of Mines Baseball team returns to the diamond this weekend for a quartet of non-conference games against RMAC opponents including the Orediggers' 2023 home opener. Mines' RMAC Round-Robin starts at CSU Pueblo on Friday. The game time was changed to 2 p.m. and is scheduled for nine innings. The Orediggers' 2023 home opener will be Saturday at 12 p.m. at Jim Darden Field in a showdown with #13 MSU Denver. Sunday closes the round-robin with Regis coming to Golden, Colo., for a 12 p.m. nine-inning game followed by Colorado Christian at Darden Field at 3 p.m. All four games are scheduled for nine innings, none of them count towards the RMAC standings, but do help build cache in the South Central Region rankings.
 
LIVE COVERAGE
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. 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.
 
LAST TIME OUT
The last time the Orediggers were between the white lines was a four-game series at Cal State L.A. on Feb. 17, 18, and 19. Mines went 1-3 in the series. Games one, two, and three went to the Golden Eagles by scores of 7-4, 10-9, and 8-0. The Orediggers took the finale in dominant fashion, winning 18-5 in seven innings. Jackson Woolwine was Mines' hottest bat in the series. He hit .615 with six runs on eight hits including three doubles while drawing six walks in the leadoff spot. Also notable at the plate was Garret Nielsen who scored seven runs on four hits including two home runs. He also had five RBI. On the mound, Marcus Lee earned Mines' only win as he tossed 5.2 innings of two-run, four-hit baseball. Lee struck out three and walked two. Blake Ripp took a loss despite 4.1 innings in which he gave up one earned run on six hits. Carter Gorling struck out five in 3.2 innings, but did not factor in his decision.
 
SCOUTING CSU PUEBLO
Colorado State University Pueblo enters the weekend 1-10 on the year. The ThunderWolves dropped two home games to then-#16 St. Edward's. They also lost at home to UCCS. San Francisco State swept "The Pack" in California. Last weekend, CSU Pueblo earned its first win of the season thanks to a 3-1 game against Montana State Billings. After the win, the ThunderWolves dropped three straight to West Texas A&M and MSU Billings. Through 11 games, "The Pack" has been outscored 102-53. Their pitching staff owns an 8.55 ERA. At the plate, CSU Pueblo is hitting .276 as a team while their opponents have batted .332. Individually, Reggie Williams and Brady Prewitt carry the big bats. Williams is hitting .429 with eight runs on 18 hits including five doubles and a triple. He owns six RBI and eight walks as well. Prewitt is hitting just .243 but touts 10 RBI thanks to four doubles and one home run. On the mound, Zach Pratt is the most recognizable name. He was 4-1 in 2022 with 49 strikeouts in 51.2 innings leading to a 4.88 ERA. This year, Pratt has started three games. He is 0-1 with a 4.80 ERA on 15 strikeouts in 15.0 innings. Also notable on the mound is Tyler Curtis who is 0-1 despite a complete-game performance. His ERA is 4.50 thanks to 10 strikeouts compared to three walks in 18.0 innings of work.
 
MINES AGAINST THE THUNDERWOLVES
The all-time series history between the Orediggers and CSU Pueblo is not complete. However, since 2007, Mines trails the rivalry 34-48. That span marks the return of ThunderWolves' baseball after the program was cut for many years. The last time the Orediggers faced "The Pack" was a four-game RMAC series in 2022. It was in Pueblo, Colo., and the home team took three of four games. One was a 9-7 decision and the other was a 2-1 walk-off in extra innings. Mines avoided the sweep with a 6-3 win in game three. The ThunderWolves clinched the series by winning 5-7 in the finale. Since 2021, Mines is 2-6 against CSU Pueblo. However, the Orediggers won seven straight from 2018-19 and 12 of 13 from 2017 to 2019.
 
SCOUTING MSU DENVER
Metropolitan State University Denver is off to a hot start in 2023. The Roadrunners are 12-2 overall and playing Regis at the time this preview was written. They have surged to #13 in the nation in the National Collegiate Baseball Writers' Association national poll. They also play Colorado Christian on Friday in Denver before coming to Golden on Saturday. MSU Denver swept Northwestern Oklahoma State to start the year and took three of four from Biola in California. The Roadrunners also took two off of Sioux Falls and split with Pittsburg State in Kansas. Last weekend, MSU Denver swept a three-game series against Mary (N.D.). MSU Denver is hitting .369 as a team and has outscored its opponents 162-88. That production has been fueled by 25 home runs and 47 doubles in 14 games. The Roadrunners boast a slew of hot bats. Near the top of the list is Zach Schuler who is hitting .466 with 15 runs on 27 hits including 10 doubles and five home runs with 28 RBI. Ross Smith and Colin Stone also boast four home runs apiece. Cody Schultz leads the team with 25 runs. On the mound, Jack Slominski and Andrew Hays tout a combined record of 6-1 and seven total starts. Slominski owns a 4.57 ERA thanks to 21 strikeouts in 21.2 innings. Hayes' ERA is 4.91. He also owns 21 strikeouts but in 18.1 innings. Eric Cox owns the back end with three saves in five appearances. He boasts a stingy 1.69 ERA after striking out nine and walking just one.
 
MINES AGAINST THE ROADRUNNERS
From 2009 to present day, Mines has won 32 games against MSU Denver and lost 33. The Roadrunners have taken eight of the last 10 from the Orediggers. Last regular-season series in 2022 was adjusted due to weather. MSU Denver won game one 12-1, game two 6-2 and game three 5-4. Mines' lone win in the series was a 2-0 decision behind Tyler Blomster's complete-game shutout. He tossed 7.0 innings, struck out six and walked zero. The Orediggers and Roadrunners also faced off in the 2022 RMAC Baseball Tournament. Third-seeded MSU Denver outlasted fifth-seeded Mines in a 6-4 thriller. Mason Andrews was 2-for-5 in that game with a double and a home run. Kevin Zapanta started and threw 6.0 innings, striking out six and walking three en route to four runs on five hits and no decision.
 
SCOUTING REGIS
At the writing of this preview, Regis was 7-7 and in action at MSU Denver. The Rangers started their season with a series win at Concordia University-Irvine. However, RU proceeded to drop a series to Pittsburg State in Kansas, and split with Fort Hays State in Denver. Regis also split a midweek doubleheader with Mary (N.D.). This weekend, the Rangers will play MSU Denver on Thursday, Colorado Christian and CSU Pueblo on Saturday, and Mines on Sunday. Matt Marlow is the man to watch at the plate for Regis. The well-known RMAC veteran is hitting .478 with 18 runs on 22 hits including three doubles, one triple, and one home run with 12 RBI. Also notable is Maxim Fullerton who's batting .400 and has 10 runs on 16 hits including four doubles, one triple and one home run with 10 RBI. The Rangers' pitching staff has no clear-cut ace, but Ethan Sloan and Dylan De Leon each have two wins. Sloan also leads the team with 17 strikeouts in 10.2 innings. He has walked eight.
 
MINES AGAINST THE RANGERS
Data available in the rivalry between the Orediggers and Rangers also dates back to 2009. In that span, Mines leads the series with Regis, 34-30. The Orediggers have won three straight and six of the last 10 against RU. Their last meeting was the first game of the 2022 RMAC Baseball Tournament. Mines worked a 4-0 win thanks to heroic pitching by Blake Ripp and Zachary Kriethe who teamed up after Tyler Blomster left with an injury. Home runs from Adam Houghtaling and Taylor White also fueled the win. The 2022 regular-season series between Mines and Regis was a split in Golden. Mines lost the first two games and won the last two.
 
SCOUTING COLORADO CHRISTIAN
Colorado Christian enters the weekend 2-7-1. The Cougars will play at MSU Denver on Friday and at Regis on Saturday before coming to Mines on Sunday. They started the season with a 20-20 tie at Lynn University in Florida. Right after that, CCU took down then-#22 Nova Southeastern, 7-6. The Cougars' only win since their trip to Florida was a 6-4 decision at Southeastern Oklahoma State. Colorado Christian eventually dropped that series and was swept by then-#18 Augustana last weekend. Overall, CCU has scored 65 runs and given up 114. Jordan Medina has fueled the offense by hitting .375 with 11 runs on 15 hits including two doubles, one triple and five home runs with 13 RBI. The Cougars' pitching staff owns a combined ERA of 10.59. Robby Caro is arguably the top arm. He is 0-1 in three starts and touts a 4.80 ERA thanks to 12 strikeouts in 15.0 innings.
 
MINES AGAINST THE COUGARS
The Orediggers have owned the rivalry with Colorado Christian dating back to 2006. Mines touts 56 wins compared to 27 losses when facing the Cougars. The Orediggers have won seven of the last 10 meetings with CCU. Mines and Colorado Christian last played during the 2022 regular season. The Orediggers won the series thanks to wins of 13-8, 14-1, and 5-4. The Cougars won game three, 10-5. For the weekend, Luke Folsom hit .533 with five runs on four doubles. Mines and Colorado Christian play this Sunday in the weekend finale. Then, the Orediggers and Cougars open RMAC play against each other next weekend in Lakewood, Colo.
 
WALTER PENNINGTON UPDATE
With Major League Baseball's Spring Training well under way, the Colorado School of Mines alum Walter Pennington is back in action. Through six spring training games with the Kansas City Royals, Pennington has appeared in one game and flawlessly recorded one out. The left-handed hurler signed a free-agent contract with the Kansas City Royals in the summer of 2020 and played the 2021 season with the organization's Low-A affiliate, the Columbia Fireflies. In 2022, Pennington started with the Royals' High-A club in the Quad Cities (Iowa). He quickly moved up to AA and finished the season with the Northwest Arkansas Naturals. In 2022, he went 6-3 with one start and a 5.19 ERA including 61 strikeouts compared to 30 walks in 67.2 innings of work. Pennington was also invited to the Arizona Fall League where he played for Surprise. He made eight appearances with two starts. He did not record a decision, but had one save, tossed 9.1 innings and struck out 10 batters while walking four.
 
IN THE PROS
Over the last five years, four Orediggers have entered baseball's professional ranks. Mikey Gangwish (2016-19) was the first as he played professionally in Australia before returning to a contract with the Evansville Otters of the independent Frontier League. He has since retired and earned his master's degree at Mines. The second was Trevor Kehe (2017-19) who was drafted in the 36th round of the MLB First-Year Player Draft by the Baltimore Orioles. He worked in the Orioles organization for three years and advanced as far as High-A ball with the Aberdeen IronBirds before retiring. Rounding out but leading the trio is Walter Pennington (2017-20).
 
THE SKIPPER
The 2023 campaign marks Mines' fifth season with Robby Bales as head coach. During his tenure as the Oredigger skipper, Bales holds an overall record of 97-63 with a mark of 58-44 in RMAC play. He has coached 14 All-RMAC players, nine all-region players, three all-Americans, one RMAC Pitcher of the Year, six CoSIDA Academic All-Americans, one MLB Draft Pick and had one player signed as a free agent in the MLB. Additionally, Bales has guided Mines to the NCAA Tournament once, and RMAC Tournament twice, advancing to the regional and conference tournament final in 2019. Bales' teams have also performed in the classroom as the squad brought home the RMAC Brechler Award in 2020 and 2021 as the team boasting the highest combined GPA in the conference.
 
LOOKING AHEAD
With the postponement of next Tuesday's doubleheader, Mines will be off from competition until Friday, March 3, when the Orediggers face CSU Pueblo in a non-RMAC showdown in Pueblo, Colo. That weekend also brings Mines' home opener as they welcome #23 MSU Denver, Regis, and Colorado Christian to Jim Darden Field on Saturday and Sunday, March 4-5. Tickets can be purchased online or at the gate. Live stats and video will also be offered at www.minesathletics.com.
 
Fans can keep up with Mines baseball on Twitter at @OrediggersBSB. They can also keep up with Colorado School of Mines Athletics all year long on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the handle @MinesAthletics.