GOLDEN, Colo. – The Colorado School of Mines dropped its non-conference series opener to Colorado Christian Friday by a score of 10-8.
 
Evan Bilter, Tyler Hummel, and Ben Leiphart all recorded two hits each. Alex Dunagan scored twice. Tyler Pina drove in two runs. Overall on offense, eight different Orediggers collected at least one hit, seven individuals scored at least once run, and six accounted for seven total RBI. On the mound, Matt Potter (0-1) was the starter for Mines (2-10) and the pitcher of decision after surrendering seven runs on four hits and four walks. Jackson Kay, Kenji Bray, and Grady Booth provided relief for the Orediggers. Bray and Booth combined for 4.1 innings of shutout relief featuring five strikeouts, zero walks, and just three hits. Colorado Christian (3-10) started Brady Ritzman (1-2) who provided 5.0 innings to earn the win. Cody Hill (2) grabbed the save after 4.0 innings of one-run relief.
 
As a team, Mines scored its eight runs on 11 hits, but none went for extra bases. The Cougars collected their 10 runs on 10 hits including two doubles. Three errors for CCU made four of the Orediggers' eight runs unearned. Mines also committed three fielding errors, but only one run was unearned. Despite 18 total runs, Friday's opener finishing in less than two hours and 45 minutes.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The day started with Mines walking Colorado Christian's leadoff batter, but Potter threw to Leiphart at first for the pickoff as part of a non-traditional, 1-2-3 first inning. In the bottom half, Mines exploded for four runs on four hits with one CCU error. Pina smacked a bases-loaded, two-run single, Tyler Hummel drove in Bilter, and Leiphart plated Pina. The Orediggers' 4-0 advantage stood for one full inning after a 1-2-3 second frame. However, the Cougars rattled off seven runs in the third, two in the fourth, and one in the fifth to take a 10-4 lead. Mines showed resilience and battled bac with four runs in the sixth inning. Unfortunately for the home team, Hill's stellar relief and CCU's outstanding outfielders kept the Orediggers off the board for the rest of the game.
 
NOTABLES
- Bilter now has seven games with multiple hits in 2026. He's hitting .442 this season with nine runs and 17 RBI on 23 hits including five doubles and four home runs.
- Dunagan and Hummel both boast 11-game hitting streaks and Pina has an eight-game hitting streak.
- Additionally, Dunagan and Hummel have reached base safely in 12 consecutive games. Justin Kubojiri has done the same in 10 straight contests.
- Brody Duvall made his Jim Darden Field debut Friday night, going 1-for-3 with a RBI.
- Head Coach Robby Bales is now 161-150 in his eighth season at the helm.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
Mines and Colorado Christian play game two of their non-RMAC series on Saturday at noon at Jim Darden Field.
 
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.