Mines (7-13, 3-5 RMAC) at CSU Pueblo (10-13, 7-1 RMAC) – Friday, 2 p.m. – Pueblo, Colo. [Live Stats] [RMAC Network]
Mines (7-13, 3-5 RMAC) at CSU Pueblo (10-13, 7-1 RMAC – Saturday, 12 p.m. – DH – Pueblo, Colo. [Live Stats] [RMAC Network]
Mines (7-13, 3-5 RMAC) at CSU Pueblo (10-13, 7-1 RMAC) – Sunday, 12 p.m. – Pueblo, Colo. [Live Stats] [RMAC Network]

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SOUTHBOUND AND DOWN
The Colorado School of Mines Baseball team is headed south this weekend for a four-game RMAC series at CSU Pueblo. Mines is riding a four-game skid and the ThunderWolves are tied for #1 in the league making this weekend a key series for both programs in the context of postseason play. Action starts Friday at 2 p.m. with a single nine-inning game. Saturday features a doubleheader consisting of two seven-inning affairs starting at 12 p.m. Sunday's finale is one nine-inning game at 12 p.m.
 
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.
 
WEATHER REPORT
Even though the spring equinox has passed, the weather report still has a touch of winter. Friday will be the best day for baseball thanks to mostly sunny skies and a high of 56 degrees. Saturday features cloud cover, a high temperature of 48 degrees and winds up to 23 MPG. The sun comes back out on Sunday, but the temperature still won't break 50 degrees. Layers and lots of them would be the smart move for fans planning to attend.
 
LAST TIME OUT
Colorado School of Mines Baseball opened the home portion of its RMAC schedule last weekend against then-#24 Colorado Mesa at Jim Darden Field. The Mavericks swept the Orediggers by scores of 15-2, 19-3, 5-3, and 14-12. It was all CMU in the first two games including a run-rule win in the opener. Mines bounced back in the last two games, leading in game three and scoring nine runs in the last three innings to make the finale close. Danny McDermott finished the weekend hitting .600 with three runs and four RBI on a double and one home run. Garret Nielsen, Trent Nielsen, Alex Dunagan and Adam Houghtaling also hit home runs. Luke Folsom, Carter Gorling, Kevin Zapanta, and Ben Schoneman were the starting pitchers and each took a loss. Blake Ripp was the bright spot for Mines' pitching staff. He made two appearances and did not surrender a single run in 1.2 innings of work. His 0.00 ERA was fueled by two strikeouts, zero walks, and just three hits.
 
SCOUTING CSU PUEBLO
Since starting the 2023 season with a record of 2-12, CSU Pueblo has taken a 180-degree turn into conference play. The ThunderWolves are 7-1 in RMAC action, riding a six-game win streak, and have won eight of their last 10 games. Most recently, "The Pack" played UCCS in a midweek, non-conference tilt and won by a score of 26-3. CSU Pueblo started conference play with a series win at UCCS and then swept New Mexico Highlands in Pueblo, Colo. Reggie Williams is the big bat for "The Pack." In 23 games, he is hitting .500 with 31 runs on 43 hits including 11 doubles, one triple, and one home run with 22 RBI. Also notable are Christian Casteneda's three home runs and Brady Prewitt's 33 RBI. On the mound, Zach Pratt is the known name for CSU Pueblo. He's 1-1 in six starts and has a 6.61 ERA thanks to 31 strikeouts compared to 13 walks in 31.1 innings of work. However, Tyler Curtis is arguably the ThunderWolves' ace. He's 3-1 in six starts with three complete games leading to a 3.69 ERA. Curtis touts 24 strikeouts compared to six walks in 39.0 innings on the mound. Jacob Petersheim leads the team with two saves. He owns an 8.03 ERA in eight appearances.
 
MINES AGAINST THE THUNDERWOLVES
CSU Pueblo brought baseball back as a NCAA sport in 2007. Since that time, the Orediggers and ThunderWolves have played 83 times. Mines has won 35 of those meetings including a 10-6 victory in Pueblo earlier this season during the RMAC Round-Robin weekend. In that game, Adam Houghtaling and Danny McDermott both went 3-for-5. Jackson Woolwine hit the first home run of his career and finished scoring two runs with three RBI. McDermott also tallied three RBI thanks to a triple. Garret Nielsen and Keene Tanaka each notched doubles. Kevin Zapanta started the game but didn't factor in the decision. Blake Ripp earned the win thanks to 4.0 innings of three-run relief. Last season's RMAC series was also in Pueblo. The home team took three of four thanks to a 9-7 win and 2-1 walk-off. The Orediggers are 3-6 against the ThunderWolves dating back to 2021.
 
WALTER PENNINGTON UPDATE
Opening day for Major League Baseball is just weeks away, and Colorado School of Mines alum Walter Pennington has seen plenty of action during Spring Training 2023. Through 27 spring training games with the Kansas City Royals, Pennington has appeared in five games for a total of 3.0 innings of action. He has surrendered one run on three hits with two strikeouts and zero walks. He owns a 3.00 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP. 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 102-73 with a mark of 61-49 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.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
The Orediggers return home for a series against New Mexico Highlands running March 31-April 2. Game one will be 6 p.m. on Friday evening. Saturday and Sunday both start at 12 p.m. Free live stats and video on the RMAC Network will be offered at www.minesathletics.com. Fans can purchase their tickets online at www.minesathletics.com/tickets or at the gate.
 
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.