SAN MARCOS, Calif. – The Colorado School of Mines baseball team dropped its series finale Sunday by a score of 13-9 at Cal State San Marcos.
 
Alex Dunagan and Evan Bilter both hit home runs. Bilter also had a double and a single on a three-hit day. He came a triple short of hitting for the cycle. Dunagan had a three-hit day as well with two runs and two RBI. Tyler Hummel added a multi-hit performance to the Sunday finale. He finished with one run and one RBI. In the end, Bilter produced two doubles while Keyan Lundvall and Owen Hicks added two-baggers too. Hicks also scored twice.
 
On the mound, Matthew Turner started and turned a scoreless, three-inning performance thanks to five strikeouts and two walks. Tai Nguyen, Dylan Burke, Luke Parker, Grant Reising, and Matea Aldecocea all came out of the bullpen, and Parker took the loss. Mines (0-4) struck out 10 and walked seven. Cal State San Marcos (4-0) struck out 10 and walked three. The Orediggers had two fielding errors compared to one by the Cougars. The home team also had two home runs and four doubles – just like the visitors.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Mines burst out to a 6-0 lead in the first inning thanks to hits by Hummel, Bilter, Tyler Pina, Keyan Lundvall, Dunagan, Owen Hicks, and Justin Kubojiri. An out on baserunning ended the big inning. The Oredigger pitching staff and defense posted back-to-back zeroes on the scoreboard before Cal State San Marcos started its rally.
 
Four Cal State San Marcos runs in the fourth inning put the Cougars in striking distance. While Dunagan's home run and a wild pitch gave Mines two runs in the sixth, five more CSUSM runs in the bottom of the same inning gave the home team a 9-8 lead. The hosts extended their rally with two runs in the seventh and two more in the eighth. Bilter's solo bomb in the ninth was academic. Back-to-back strikeouts ended the Oredigger threat and the game.
 
NOTABLES
- Bilter has two home runs in 2026 and eight in his career.
- Dunagan's home run was his first of the season and the seventh of his career.
- Mines and Cal State San Marcos are tied, 6-6, in the series dating back to 2010.
- Lundvall and Hicks tallied the first doubles of their collegiate careers.
- Justin Kubojiri also stole his first base wearing a Mines uniform.
- Tai Nguyen and Matthew Turner made their Oredigger debuts on Sunday.
- Luke Parker for Mines and Jack Swanberg for CSUSM were the pitchers of decision.
- Bilter now boasts a 12-game hitting streak which dates back to last season.
- Head Coach Robby Bales is now 159-144 in his eighth season at the helm.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
Mines hosts Regis this coming Friday with a doubleheader at Regis Saturday before hosting Regis again on Sunday.
Fans can keep up with Mines baseball on "X" (formerly Twitter) and Instagram at @OrediggersBSB. They can also keep up with Colorado School of Mines Athletics all year long on Facebook, "X" and Instagram using the handle @MinesAthletics.