ALAMOSA, Colo. – The Colorado School of Mines Baseball team had its eight-game win streak halted on Saturday in a 10-8 loss to Adams State in the series finale.
 
The loss came despite powerful bats at the heart of the Orediggers' order. Garret Nielsen was 2-for-5 with two home runs and three RBI. He also scored twice. Adam Houghtaling scored twice as well while racking up three hits including two doubles. Danny McDermott notched a home run on a two-hit day. Also notable was a double from Brady Veltien. On the mound, Blake Ripp (4-2) was the starting pitcher and took the lass due to six runs (four earned) on seven hits in one inning. Rodney Gregg, Matthew Dobberthien, Jackson Bakovich, Alex Honeyman, and Weston Siefken all came out of the bullpen.
 
It marked the first loss in the month of April for Mines (16-16, 12-8 RMAC). The Orediggers hit over .300 as a team, but suffered from two errors in the field resulting in three unearned runs. Adams State (10-23, 5-11 RMAC) snapped its four-game losing streak thanks to a .342 batting average and a clean sheet on defense. Overall, Mines scored its eight runs on 13 hits while leaving 10 runners on base. The Grizzlies tallied 12 hits and left five stranded. The Oredigger pitching staff only issued two walks, but ASU hitters only struck out twice.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Mines got on the scoreboard first thanks to Houghtaling's double that scored Mason Andrews in the opening frame. Even so, Adams State got the run back and more. The home team stacked up three runs in the first and three more in the second inning to take a 6-4 lead. Garret Nielsen hit a home run in the third with Andrews on base. McDermott's bomb was a two-out, solo shot in the top of the fifth to make the score 6-4. However, the Grizzlies pushed their lead to 10-4 with a one-run fifth and three-run sixth.
 
The Orediggers staged their comeback starting in the seventh when Nielsen homered again, and Luke Folsom hit a two-run single to plate McDermott and Houghtaling. After a scoreless eighth frame, Mines nearly completed the comeback. Houghtaling started the ninth with a single, Folsom worked a one-out walk, and Veltien smacked a two-out, two-run, pinch-hit double to make the score 10-8. Unfortunately for the visitors, that capped the scoring as ASU earned the final out to avoid the sweep.
 
NOTABLES
- Mines is now 33-9 against Adams State over the last decade.
- Garret Nielsen now touts 11 home runs on the season which ties him for 11th on the program's all-time, single-season list.
- Nielsen also boasts 49 RBI in 2023 which ties him for 12th on Mines' all-time, single-season list.
- Houghtaling hit his 17th and 18th doubles of the season to move into a tie 10th in the program record book. He's also tied for 15th in program history with 38 career doubles.
- McDermott's home run was his third of the season and 23rd of his career which is seventh-most in program history.
- Ripp's start was his second appearance in less than 24 hours after he pitched the save in game three on Friday.
- Head Coach Robby Bales is now 111-76 in his fifth season leading the Orediggers.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
Mines starts a five-game home stand on Tuesday against NCAA Division I Northern Colorado. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. at Jim Darden Field. Tickets can be purchased online or at the gate. Live stats and video will be offered 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.