GOLDEN, Colo. – Colorado School of Mines Baseball Head Coach Robby Bales has announced that he will step down as skipper of the Orediggers.
 
Bales' resignation comes after a 21-33 (14-18 RMAC) season and a Mines run to the championship game of the RMAC tournament. It marked his eighth season at the helm and 11th overall with the Orediggers. Mines plans to start the search for Bales' successor immediately.
 
"I'd like to thank Coach Bales for over a decade of amazing service to Mines," Athletic Director David Hansburg said. "I wish him all the best in his future endeavors."
 
During his tenure leading the Orediggers, Bales accumulated a record of 180-173 which tied him with his predecessor Jerod Goodale for the second-most wins in program history. Bales also stepped away as just the second skipper ever with a winning record at Mines. His time on staff in Golden started 2016 as the second assistant coach. He took over the top assistant position in 2017. After the 2018 season, Bales was first named interim head coach and then dropped the interim tag in August following a national search. His first campaign in charge saw the Orediggers advance to their second straight NCAA tournament after their inaugural appearance in 2018. Bales also coached Mines to RMAC tournament appearances in 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2026. There was no conference postseason in 2020. Earlier this month, he guided the Orediggers on a Cinderella run to the championship game where they eventually fell to top-seeded and #1-ranked Colorado Mesa.
 
To date, Bales' Oredigger resume also includes 29 All-RMAC honorees, 21 all-region awards, eight all-America nods, one MLB Draft Pick, and free agent signing to the MLB. Additionally, Bales has coached two RMAC Pitchers of the Year including RMAC Pitcher of the Year, NCBWA South Central Region Pitcher of the Year, D2CCA South Central Region Pitcher of the Year and the RMAC's all-time wins leader in Tyler Blomster. The Utah native's all-time roster includes seven CSC Academic All-Americans as well.

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.