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CSM BASEBALL WINS FINAL TWO GAMES OF SEASON

GOLDEN, Colo. - The Colorado School of Mines baseball team won its final two games of the season by sweeping a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference doubleheader from Colorado Christian Saturday afternoon at CSM Field.

CCU was the home team for both games.

In the opener, CSM sophomore second baseman Caleb Rudkin (Fort Collins, Colo./Fort Collins) went 2-for-4 with two RBI, including a solo homer, to lead the offense. Senior Kevan Dee (Haxtun, Colo./Haxtun) went 6 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on eight hits to earn the win (4-6). It was the final game for Dee in a CSM uniform.

Junior Matt Thome (Espanola, N.M./Los Alamos) got a game ending double play to earn his fourth save of the season. He also pitched all nine innings in game two to earn the win and improve to 6-7. He allowed just two runs, one earned, on six hits and fanned nine.

In the finale, the Orediggers broke open a 4-2 lead with two tallies in the seventh and four more in the eighth to claim the win. Sophomore catcher Mike Deal (Highlands Ranch, Colo./ThunderRidge) delivered the big blow with a three-run homer. Sophomore centerfielder Nick Walker (Denver, Colo./Wheat Ridge) went 3-for-5 with two RBI and three runs.

Today's games marked the final ones in 2006 for both teams.

-- OREDIGGERS --

CSM BASEBALL SPLITS TWINBILL WITH COLORADO CHRISTIAN

GOLDEN, Colo. - The Colorado School of Mines baseball team split two games with Colorado Christian Friday afternoon in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action at CSM Field.

CCU was the home team for today's twinbill.

In the opener, CCU (6-43, 3-28 RMAC) tallied single runs in the third and fifth innings before CSM sophomore catcher Mike Deal (Highlands Ranch, Colo./ThunderRidge) sliced the lead to 2-1 with a solo homer in the seventh. However, the Orediggers could not muster the tying run.

Cam Corbett fired a complete game (seven innings), four hitter to earn the win and improve to 2-10. CSM sophomore Josh Hegg (Colorado Springs, Colo./New Mexico State) was the hard luck loser (1-5). He allowed just two runs, one earned, on three hits.

In the nightcap, CCU took a 3-0 lead into the eighth inning, but the Orediggers (15-35, 6-24 RMAC) scored eight times in the eighth inning on nineh hits and two CCU errors. In addition, seven different players drove in runs.

Junior Brady Romberg (Aurora, Colo./Grandview) went the distance (nine innings) to get the win and improve to 3-9. He allowed three runs, two earned, on seven hits and fanned three. Bud Wilborn went 7 1/3 innings for the Cougars, allowing eight runs, six earned, on nine hits to take the loss (1-8).

The two teams will play another doubleheader on Saturday at 1:00 pm at CSM Field. It will be the final games of the 2006 season for both teams.

-- OREDIGGERS --

CSM BASEBALL LOSES FINALE TO METRO STATE, 11-5

GOLDEN, Colo. - The Colorado School of Mines baseball team dropped its third straight game to Metro State, 11-5, in the series finale of their four-game Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference series Sunday afternoon at CSM Field. The Roadrunners rebounded from a loss in Friday's opener to claim the series, 3-1.

Metro State (24-21, 17-11 RMAC) scored three times in the first inning, including a two-run homer by Jake Palmer, and then broke open a 6-3 lead with five more runs in the seventh.

CSM (14-34, 5-23 RMAC) junior first baseman Tully Gallagher (Red Lodge, Mont./Red Lodge) wetn 3-for-4 with two runs, while junior third baseman Joel D'Cristina (Pueblo, Colo./Pueblo Central) was 2-for-4 with an RBI.

Freshman Jared Osif (Lakewood, Colo./Green Mountain) took the loss and fell to 0-5. Metro's Mike Bilek went seven innings, allowing three runs on eight hits for the win (4-4).

Palmer, Randy Lashua and Troy Spahn all drove in two runs for the Roadrunners.

The Orediggers will return to action on Friday afternoon when they host Colorado Christian for an RMAC doubleheader at CSM Field. First pitch is slated for 2:00 pm.

-- OREDIGGERS --

CSM BASEBALL DROPS TWO TO METRO STATE

GOLDEN, Colo. - The Colorado School of Mines baseball team dropped both games on Saturday's Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference twinbill to Metro State at CSM Field. The Roadrunners won the opener, 9-1, and the nightcap, 13-2.

Metro's (23-21, 16-11 RMAC) Josh Eckert fired a complete game, four hitter in the opener to earn the win and improve to 5-6, while Braden Ham threw a complete game, six hitter in the nightcap. He is now 7-3.

CSM (14-33, 5-22 RMAC) senior Kevan Dee (Haxtun, Colo./Haxtun) lasted five innings in game one. He allowed nine hits, eight runs (five earned) and fanned five to fall to 3-6 this season. Junior Matt Thome (Espanola, N.M./Los Alamos) pitched 5 1/3 innings in game two, allowing 11 runs (six earned) on 11 hits to take the loss (5-7).

In the opener, the Roadrunners used three home runs, including two from Randy Lashua who finished game one 4-for-4 with three runs and four RBI. Metro then scored six runs in the sixth inning of game two to break open a 6-2 game.

CSM junior Tully Gallagher (Red Lodge, Mont./Red Lodge) went 2-for-5 with a run, two RBI and a homer on the afternoon.

The two teams will conclude their four-game series on Sunday with a 12:00 pm game at CSM Field.

-- OREDIGGERS --

CSM BASEBALL DEFEATS METRO STATE, 12-11, IN OPENER

GOLDEN, Colo. - The Colorado School of Mines baseball team won the series opener from Metro State, 12-11, in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action Friday at CSM Field.

The Orediggers scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth after Metro State had taked an 11-10 lead in the top half of the inning on an RBI single from pinch hitter Zachary Baldenegro.

CSM scored eight of its runs in the final three innings, while the Roadrunners plated six of their runs in the final three frames. Each team was aided by poor defense as CSM committed six errors and Metro had three leading to a total of 10 unearned runs, including both Oredigger runs in the ninth.

CSM (14-31, 5-20 RMAC) sophomore catcher Mike Deal (Highlands Ranch, Colo./ThunderRidge) went 4-for-5 with a run and an RBI, while sophomore shortstop Matt Owens (Highlands Ranch, Colo./ThunderRidge) was 3-for-5 with four RBI and two runs.

Metro State's (21-21, 14-11 RMAC) Jake Palmer went 2-for-4 with three RBI, including a solo homer.

Chad Baudendistel (Gilcrest, Colo./Valley) earned the win in relief and moved to 1-0, while Mike Hoefs took the loss (0-2).

The two teams will return to action on Saturday afternoon with an RMAC twinbill slated to begin at 1:00 pm.

-- OREDIGGERS --

CSM BASEBALL TOPS PANHANDLE STATE, 5-3

GOLDEN, Colo. - The Colorado School of Mines baseball team came away with a 5-3 nonconference win over Oklahoma Panhandle State on Monday afternoon at CSM Field.

The Orediggers (13-31) scored two in the first and two more in the third and held on for the win as OPSU left 12 runners on base.

Junior Brady Romberg (Aurora, Colo./Grandview) pitched five innings, allowing one run on six hits to earn the win and improve to 2-9. He struck out six. Junior Matt Thome (Espanola, N.M./Los Alamos) recorded the final eight outs in order to earn his third save of the season.

CSM will return to action on Friday with a 3:00 pm game against Metro State at CSM Field.

-- OREDIGGERS --

CSM BASEBALL COMES BACK TO BEAT COLORADO CHRISTIAN

GOLDEN, Colo. - The Colorado School of Mines baseball team came away with a win this afternoon against the Colorado Christian Cougars.

After trailing the entire game, the Orediggers came back with an eighth inning rally to beat the Cougars 14-11.

Mines trailed 10-5 going into the bottom of the eighth, but with nine runs in the bottom of the inning, the Orediggers took the lead as the Cougars were unable to answer back handing the Orediggers the 14-11 victory.

Pitcher Matt Thome (Espanola, N.M./Los Alamos) came away with the win, pitching six innings and allowing only four hits and two runs. Center fielder Nick Walker (Denver, Colo./Wheatridge) ended the day hitting three for five with one run and four RBI's.

Mines will return to action this Monday with a game against Oklahoma Panhandle State. Game time is set for 3:00 pm.

-Orediggers-

CSM BASEBALL FALLS TO NEBRASKA-KEARNEY IN FINALE, 3-2

GOLDEN, Colo. - The Colorado School of Mines baseball team fell to Nebraska-Kearney, 3-2, in the fourth and final game of their Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference series on Saturday afternoon at CSM Field.

UNK (21-16, 9-5 RMAC) jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second as Mitch Mitrtsching belted a two-run homer. After CSM plated a run in the sixth, the teams exchanged runs in the eighth inning to provide the final margin.

UNK's Ryan Dettman pitched 6 1/3 innings to earn the win and improve to 3-0. He allowed four hits and fanned four. Seth Svoboda worked the ninth to earn his first save of the season. CSM freshman southpaw Jared Osif (Lakewood, Colo./Green Mountain) worked 7 1/3 innings and took the loss (0-4). He gave up nine hits and struck out four.

At one point between the third and sixth innings, Dettman and Osif combined to retire 17 straight batters.

CSM (11-31, 4-20 RMAC) was led on offense by freshman designated hitter Stefan Revielle (Longmont, Colo./Longmont) who was 2-for-3 with two runs. UNK's Aaron Hampton went 3-for-5, while Travis Kerkman was 1-for-3. Kerkman raised his career hit total to 229 and tied the all-time record for hits at Nebraska-Kearney.

The Orediggers will return to action on Wednesday afternoon when they host Colorado Christian for a 3:00 pm nonconference game.

-- OREDIGGERS --

CSM BASEBALL DROPS TWO TO NEBRASKA-KEARNEY

GOLDEN, Colo. - The Colorado School of Mines baseball team lost the middle two games of a four-game series with Nebraska-Kearney on Friday afternoon in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action at CSM Field.

The Lopers (20-16, 8-5 RMAC) won the opener, 5-3, and also took the nightcap, 11-6.

In game one, UNK shortstop Cole Archer delivered a two-run single in the top of the sixth to give the Lopers a 5-3 lead. The hit proved to be the game-winner after CSM tied it at 3-3 with a run in the fifth.

In the finale, the Lopers scored seven runs in the first three innings to claim the win.

CSM (11-30, 4-19) was led by sophomore leftfielder Michael Svejcar (Arvada, Colo./Ralston Valley) who went 4-for-6 with two runs and two RBI in the two games. Sophomore centerfielder Nick Walker (Denver, Colo. /Wheat Ridge) was a combined 4-for-7 with a run and three runs batted in.

Senior Kevan Dee (Haxtun, Colo./Haxtun) took the loss in the opener and fell to 3-5, while junior Matt Thome (Espanola, N.M./Los Alamos) took the loss in game two. He is now 4-6.

UNK's Travis Kerkman went 3-for-5 with four RBI in game two to raise his career hit total to 228. He needs two more hits to break the UNK career record.

Paul Schleifer struck out 12 and gave up just six hits in the opener to earn the win (2-2), while Ryan Wrobel worked 4 1/3 innings of relief, allowing just three hits to win the nightcap. He is now 2-1.

The teams will conclude their four-game series with a single nine-inning game on Saturday at CSM Field. First pitch is slated for 12:00 pm.

-- OREDIGGERS --

CSM BASEBALL WINS OPENER AGAINST KEARNEY, 20-14

GOLDEN, Colo. - The Colorado School of Mines baseball team pounded out a season-best 25 hits en route to a 20-14 win over Nebraska-Kearney in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action Thursday afternoon at CSM Field.

CSM (11-28, 4-17 RMAC) scored eight runs in the first two innings, but UNK responded with seven in the top of the third. But the Orediggers came right back with a run in the bottom of the third and nine more in the fourth to take an 18-10 lead.

The first five batters in CSM's order combined to go 18-for-27 with 14 runs, 15 RBI, five doubles and two homers. Freshman designated hitter Stefan Revielle (Longmont, Colo./Longmont) went 5-for-7 with five runs and five RBI.

Junior Brady Romberg (Aurora, Colo./Grandview) picked up the win (1-9) as he went six innings. He struck out seven.

The two teams will continue their four-game set on Friday afternoon with a doubleheader slated to begin at 2:00 pm at CSM Field.

-- OREDIGGERS --

CSM BASEBALL DROPS FINALE AT MESA STATE, 15-2

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - The Mesa State baseball team completed a four-game sweep of Colorado School of Mines with a 15-2 win over the Orediggers in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action Sunday afternoon at Suplizio Field.

Mesa raced out to a 9-0 lead after four innings and was never threatened.

CSM redshirt freshman leftfielder Matt Sinkey (Aurora, Colo./Smoky Hill) led the offense as he went 2-for-3 with an RBI. Freshman southpaw Jarid Osif (Lakewood, Colo./Green Mountain) took the loss (0-3).

Louis Lovelady picked up the win (4-3) for the Mavericks as he threw six innings of five hit ball. The lone run he allowed was unearned.

CSM (10-28, 3-17 RMAC) will return to action on Thursday when it hosts Nebraska-Kearney at 4:00 pm at CSM Field.

-- OREDIGGERS --

CSM BASEBALL DROPS TWINBILL AT MESA STATE

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - The Mesa State baseball team swept a doubleheader from Colorado School of Mines in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action Saturday afternoon at Suplizio Field.

The Mavericks (24-12, 13-3 RMAC) won the opener behind pitcher Luke Cheever who fired a no-hitter. Cheever walked one and hit a batter.

With the game scoreless after four, Mesa State plated three in the fifth and two in the sixth to earn the win. Justin Little drove in two, while Eric Maberry, Kevin Mackey and Matt Bodenchuk drove in one apiece.

CSM (10-27, 3-16 RMAC) senior Kevan Dee (Haxtun, Colo./Haxtun) pitched well, allowing five hits and five runs in going the distance. He took a no-hitter into the fifth inning.

In the nighcap, Mesa tallied six runs on 13 hits to win its third straight against CSM. Maberry went 3-for-4 and drove in two, while Sean McKinney also drove in two runs.

CSM sophomore rightfielder Will Dickinson (Pleasanton, Calif./Amador Valley) drove in two with a triple. Junior Matt Thome (Espanola, N.M./Los Alamos) took the loss and fell to 4-5. He went the distance, allowing six runs on 13 hits and fanned two.

Chris Skalet earned the win and moved to 2-0 as he pitched 3 2/3 innings of relief. He allowed an unearned run and struck out three while not allowing a hit.

The two teams will conclude the four-game set on Sunday with a single game at 12:00 pm.

-- OREDIGGERS --

CSM BASEBALL LOSES OPENER AT MESA STATE, 9-3

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - The Colorado School of Mines baseball team dropped the series opener at Mesa State, 9-3, in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action Friday night at Suplizio Field.

Mesa State (22-12, 11-3 RMAC) broke open a 1-1 tie with five runs in the fifth inning and three more in the sixth.

CSM (10-25, 3-14 RMAC) sophomore second baseman Caleb Rudkin (Fort Collins, Colo./Fort Collins) was the lone Oredigger to record more than one hit as he went 2-for-4 with an RBI. Jared Burek was 3-for-4 with two runs and two RBI for the Mavericks.

Junior Brady Romberg (Aurora, Colo./Grandview) took the loss and fell to 0-9. He went six innings, allowing nine runs, seven earned, on 12 hits and struck out four. Keith Nelson worked 1 1/3 innings of relief to pick up the win (2-2).

The two teams will continue their four-game series with a doubleheader on Saturday.

-- OREDIGGERS --

CSM BASEBALL LOSES AT METRO STATE, 7-3

DENVER, Colo. - The Colorado School of Mines baseball team fell to 10-24 overall with a 7-3 setback at Metro State in a nonconference game Tuesday afternoon at Auraria Field.

CSM led 2-1 after four innings, but the Roadrunners tallied three runs in both the fifth and sixth innings to take a 7-2 lead.

CSM junior third baseman Joel D'Cristina (Pueblo, Colo./Pueblo Central) went 2-for-3 with a run, while sophomore designated hitter Michael Svejcar (Arvada, Colo./Ralston Valley) was 2-for-3 with an RBI.

Freshman southpaw Jared Osif (Lakewood, Colo./Green Mountain) pitched 5 1/3 innings, allowing seven runs on eight hits and took the loss (0-1.) Vincent Vasquez threw six innings for Metro State to earn the win (2-0). He gave up two runs, one earned, on seven hits.

Dakota Nohm led the Roadrunner offense as he was 2-for-3 with a home runs, three runs batted in and two runs scored.

CSM will return to action this weekend with a four-game RMAC series at Mesa State. The first game is slated for Friday night at 7:00 pm.

-- OREDIGGERS --

CSM BASEBALL SPLITS FOUR GAMES WITH REGIS

DENVER, Colo. - The Colorado School of Mines baseball team split a four-game Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference series at Regis University over the weekend. The Rangers won Friday's opener, 16-1, before the teams split Saturday's doubleheader. CSM won the opener in nine innings, 4-3, while Regis came back to win the nightcap, 18-3.

The Orediggers salvaged a split of the series with an 8-7 win in Sunday's finale.

Junior leftfielder John Naccarato (Parker, Colo./Chapparel) led the way offensively for CSM as he hit .571 (8-14) in the four games with four runs, three doubles and an RBI.

Sophomore rightfielder Michael Svejcar (Arvada, Colo./Ralston Valley) batted .385 (5-13) with a double and a run and four runs batted in, while sophomore rightfielder Will Dickinson (Pleasanton, Calif./Amador Valley) also drove in four over the weekend.

In the series finale, both Svejcar and Naccarato went 4-for-5 and scored one run, while Svejcar drove in four.

Junior Matt Thome (Espanola, N.M./Los Alamos) picked up the win in Sunday's game and also earned the save in Saturday's win. He allowed just four earned runs in 10 innings pitched over the weekend. Senior Kevan Dee (Haxtun, Colo./Haxtun) won Saturday's game as he pitched eight innings and allowed just one run.

CSM (10-23, 3-13 RMAC) will return to action on Tuesday when it travels to Metro State for a nine inning, nonconference game. First pitch is slated for 3:00 pm.

-- OREDIGGERS --

CSM BASEBALL SWEPT IN FOUR GAME SET AT FORT HAYS STATE

HAYS, Kan. - The Colorado School of Mines baseball team was swept in a four game Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference series over the weekend at Fort Hays State at Larks Park.

FHSU (25-5, 10-2 RMAC) won the openers on Saturday, 12-2 and 3-2, and also took both games on Sunday, 3-0 and 8-2.

CSM received strong pitching performances from juniors Brady Romberg (Aurora, Colo./Grandview) and Matt Thome (Espanola, N.M./Los Alamos) over the weekend. Romberg went the distance (eight innings) in Saturday's second game. He allowed just three runs, one earned, on five hits and fanned five.

Thome fired a complete game (seven innings) in Sunday's first game, allowing three runs, two earned, on six hits, while striking out five.

Sophomore second baseman Caleb Rudkin (Fort Collins, Colo./Fort Collins) led the way at the plate for CSM as he went 5-for-12 with two doubles and two runs in the four games. Junior first baseman Tully Gallagher (Red Lodge, Mont./Red Lodge) hit a homer in the opener and drove in three runs over the weekend.

CSM (8-21, 1-11 RMAC) will return to action this weekend with a four-game RMAC series at Regis University. The first game will be Friday at 3:00 pm. The teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday at 1:00 pm and a final game on Sunday at 12:00 pm.

-- OREDIGGERS --

CSM BASEBALL FALLS TWICE TO CSU-PUEBLO

GOLDEN, Colo. - The Colorado School of Mines baseball team dropped a pair of games to Colorado State-Pueblo in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action Saturday afternoon at CSM Field. The Thunderwolves swept the four-game set and improved to 20-4 overall and remained perfect in the RMAC at 8-0.

The Orediggers fell to 8-17 overall and 1-7 in conference play.

The Pack won the opener, 20-9, and took the finale, 11-1.

In the opener, CSU-P broke open a 10-9 lead with seven runs in the sixth inning. CSU-Pueblo also scored five runs in the first inning of game two to seize control and earn the win.

CSM was led by junior rightfielder John Naccarato (Parker, Colo./Chapparel) who was 2-for-4 with two runs, four RBI and a three-run homer in the opener. Sophomore designated hitter Caleb Rudkin (Fort Collins, Colo./Fort Collins) went 2-for-4 and drove in three in the opener.

Jesus Rodriguez pitched 2 2/3 innings of relief to earn the win in game one and move to 3-0 this year, while Chris Runyon threw five innings of relief in game two to pick up the win (1-2). He combined with Geordon Hainlen to limit CSM to just three hits over nine innings.

Junior Matt Thome (Espanola, N.M./Los Alamos) took the loss in the opener (3-3), while sophomore Michael Svejcar (Arvada, Colo./Ralston Valley) took the loss in the nightcap and fell to 1-2.

CSM will return to action on Tuesday when it travels to Kansas Wesleyan for a 1:00 pm doubleheader.

-- OREDIGGERS --

CSM BASEBALL FALLS TWICE TO CSU-PUEBLO

GOLDEN, Colo. - The Colorado School of Mines baseball team dropped a pair of games to Colorado State-Pueblo in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action Friday afternoon at CSM Field.

The Thunderwolves (18-4, 6-0 RMAC) won the seven inning opener, 11-2, and took the nine inning nightcap, 15-3.

In game one, CSU-Pueblo's Jeff Williams threw a complete game, three hitter and struck out three to earn the win and improve to 5-1. Doug Hurst went 4-for-4 with four runs batted in. CSM senior Kevan Dee (Haxtun, Colo./Haxtun) lasted five innings and took the loss (2-2).

In the nightcap, CSU-Pueblo scored nine runs in the eighth inning to break open the game. Nick Wagner went 4-for-4 with four runs and four RBI, while Albert Rodriguez went all nine innings, allowing just four hits. He improved to 3-0 this year.

CSM sophomore centerfielder Nick Walker (Denver, Colo./Wheat Ridge) finished the two games 3-for-7 with two runs and an RBI. Junior Brady Romberg (Aurora, Colo./Grandview) lasted seven innings and took the loss (0-6).

CSM (8-15, 1-5 RMAC) will conclude its four game series with CSU-Pueblo with a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 11:00 am.

-- OREDIGGERS --

CSM BASEBALL DROPS TWO TO NEW MEXICO HIGHLANDS

DENVER, Colo. - The Colorado School of Mines baseball team dropped a pair of Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference games to New Mexico Highlands at Regis Field on Saturday afternoon. The sweep enabled the Cowboys to take the series, 3-1.

NMHU (8-10, 3-1 RMAC) won the opener, 8-3, and also took game two, 17-10.

In game one, the Cowboys scored two runs in the fourth and fifth innings and added three more in the sixth to win. In the nightcap, Highlands scored 10 runs over the fifth and sixth innings to claim the win. CSM made it interesting with six runs in the bottom of the ninth.

CSM (8-13, 1-3 RMAC) sophomore centerfielder Nick Walker (Denver, Colo./Wheat Ridge) finished the day 4-for-8 with three runs, one RBI and a home run.

The Orediggers will return to action on Friday with a 3:00 pm game against CSU-Pueblo at CSM Field.

-- OREDIGGERS --

CSM BASEBALL SPLITS TWO WITH HIGHLANDS

DENVER, Colo. - The Colorado School of Mines baseball team opened conference play by splitting two games with New Mexico Highlands in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action Friday afternoon at Regis Field.

The games were moved to Regis late Friday morning due to snow in the Golden area.

NMHU won the seven inning opener, 6-1, while the Orediggers won game two, 6-2. The second game was called in the top of the sixth with two outs due to darkness.

Senior Kevan Dee (Haxtun, Colo./Haxtun) earned the win in the nightcap and improved to 2-1. He allowed just six hits and struck out three. CSM jumped out to a 5-0 lead after one inning to aid Dee's effort. Sophomore centerfielder Nick Walker (Denver, Colo./Wheat Ridge) drove in two runs.

In the opener, Evan White of NMHU (6-10, 1-1 RMAC) pitched all seven innings, allowing one run on eight hits. He struck out 10 as he moved to 3-1 this season. Junior Brady Romberg (Aurora, Colo./Grandview) took the loss and fell to 0-5. He went the distance, allowing six runs, four earned, on eight hits, while fanning two.

CSM (8-11, 1-1 RMAC) will entertain Highlands for another twinbill at Regis University on Saturday. First pitch is slated for 11:00 am.

-- OREDIGGERS --

CSM BASEBALL SWEEPS TWO FROM WESTERN OREGON

GOLDEN, Colo. - The Colorado School of Mines baseball team ran its win streak to four games with a pair of wins over Western Oregon in nonconference action Monday afternoon at CSM Field.

The Orediggers are now 7-10 overall, while the Wolves, who were tied for third in the latest West Regional Poll and who also took three of four games at Mesa State over the weekend, fall to 8-6.

In the opener, CSM scored four runs in the sixth inning to break open a 5-3 lead. Junior Matt Thome (Espanola, N.M./Los Alamos) won his third straight game and improved to 3-1 this season as he fired a complete game, eight hitter. He allowed four runs, while striking out six and walking just one.

Sophomore designated hitter Caleb Rudkin (Fort Collins, Colo./Fort Collins), junior first baseman Tully Gallagher (Red Lodge, Mont./Red Lodge) and sophomore catcher Mike Deal (Highlands Ranch, Colo./ThunderRidge) all drove in two runs, while Rudkin also scored two times.

In the nightcap, CSM raced out to a 6-1 lead after two innings and rode a complete game effort from sophomore Michael Svejcar (Arvada, Colo./Ralston Valley) to another win. The southpaw allowed eight hits and struck out five while walking just one.

Junior third baseman Joel D'Cristina (Pueblo, Colo./Pueblo Central) went 2-for-3 with three runs batted in, while Gallagher and sophomore shortstop Matt Owens (Highlands Ranch, Colo./ThunderRidge) drove in two runs apiece. Rudkin also scored two runs in game two.

CSM is slated to return to action with a four game series at home against New Mexico Highlands this weekend. The first game is scheduled for Friday at 3:00 pm and will be the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference opener for both teams.

-- OREDIGGERS --

CSM BASEBALL TOPS METRO STATE, 6-2

GOLDEN, Colo. - The Colorado School of Mines baseball team broke open a 2-2 game with three runs in the eighth inning and captured a 6-2 win at Metro State in the final day of the 2006 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Preseason Tournament.

CSM finished the tournament at 1-3 overall, while Metro was 0-4.

The Orediggers (3-8) got another strong pitching performance from junior Matt Thome (Espanola, N.M./Los Alamos). The righty, who earned RMAC Pitcher of the Week honors two weeks ago, threw all nine innings, allowing two runs on eight hits. He also struck out seven and walked just one as he improved to 2-1 this season.

Sophomore shortstop Caleb Rudkin (Fort Collins, Colo./Fort Collins) finished with three runs batted in, while junior leftfielder John Naccarato (Parker, Colo./Chapparel) delivered the big blow in the eighth with a two-run double.

Sophomore second baseman Matt Owens (Highlands Ranch, Colo./ThunderRidge) and freshman designated hitter Stefan Revielle (Longmont, Colo./Longmont) each went 3-for-4 and combined to score three runs.

Metro State's (0-6) Matt Bilek took the loss and fell to 0-1 this year. He lasted eight innings and allowed five runs on 10 hits.

CSM will return to action this weekend with a four-game series against Hastings College. The teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 12:00 pm and another twinbill on Sunday at 11:00 am.

-- OREDIGGERS --

CSM BASEBALL DROPS TWO IN PRESEASON TOURNEY AS
SQUAD FALLS TO HIGHLANDS AND MESA STATE

GOLDEN, Colo. - The Colorado School of Mines baseball team dropped two games on Saturday in the 2006 Preseason RMAC Tournament. The Orediggers fell to New Mexico Highlands, 13-2, in the opener and the dropped a 12-4 decision to Mesa State in game two.

CSM (2-8) was limited to just six hits in both games. Six different players recorded a hit in the opener. The Cowboys broke the game open with six runs in the sixth inning. In the nighcap, sophomore Matt Owens (Highlands Ranch, Colo./ThunderRidge) went 2-for-5 with two runs batted and a run scored.

The Orediggers will return to action on Sunday with a 2:30 pm game at Metro State.

-- OREDIGGERS --

CSM BASEBALL FALLS TO NEBRASKA-KEARNEY, 17-5

GOLDEN, Colo. - The Colorado School of Mines baseball team lost its opening game in the 2006 Preseason Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament, 17-5, on Friday afternoon to Nebraska-Kearney at CSM Field.

The Lopers, who defeated CSU-Pueblo earlier in the day, scored four runs in both the first and second innings to claim the win.

The game, slated for nine innings, was called after seven due to darkness.

CSM junior John Naccarato (Parker, Colo./Chapparel) went 3-for-4 with two runs scored, while junior first baseman Tully Gallagher (Red Lodge, Mont./Red Lodge) drove in a pair.

Junior Josh Hegg (Colorado Springs, Colo./New Mexico State) fell to 1-2 as he took the loss, while Jason Stergiadis improved to 3-0 as he fired a complete game for UNK.

Travis Kerman led the UNK offense as he went 3-for-5 with two runs and four RBI. Rich Eber finished 4-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored, while he and Kerkman also homered.

CSM will face New Mexico Highlands at 11:00 am on Saturday and will also host Mesa State at 3:00 pm Saturday in the second day of the tournament. Both games will be at CSM Field.

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CSM BASEBALL WINS ONE OF FOUR AT EASTERN NEW MEXICO

PORTALES, N.M. - The Colorado School of Mines baseball team picked up one win in four games during a nonconference series at Eastern New Mexico over the weekend at Greyhound Field.

ENMU (7-1) won Friday's opener, 12-9, and also won the first game on Saturday's doubleheader, 5-3. The Orediggers rallied to take Saturday's nightcap, 11-2, behind a strong pitching performance from junior Matt Thome (Espanola, N.M./Los Alamos). However, ENMU scored one run in the bottom of the ninth to win Sunday's finale, 7-6.

Thome went all seven innings and allowed just two runs on two hits. He also fanned nine batters. Freshman pitcher Jared Osif (Lakewood, Colo./Green Mountain) was strong in his relief effort in the series opener. In his first collegiate action, Osif went 5 1/3 innings and allowed three runs, two earned, on six hits and struck out three.

Sophomore second baseman Matt Owens (Highlands Ranch, Colo./ThunderRidge) and sophomore shortstop Caleb Rudkin (Fort Collins, Colo./Fort Collins) led the way at the plate for CSM as each hit .444 (8-18) in the series.

Owens also contributed five runs, a double and five RBI, while Rudkin scored four times and drove in four more.

CSM (2-5) will return to action this weekend when it hosts Central Washington for a four-game series at CSM Field. The teams will play a pair of doubleheaders on Saturday and Sunday beginning at 12:00 pm each day.

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CSM BASEBALL DROPS TWO OF THREE TO YORK COLLEGE
TO OPEN 2006 SEASON

GOLDEN, Colo. - The Colorado School of Mines baseball team lost two of three games to York College to open the 2006 season over the weekend at Auraria Field on the campus of Metro State College.

The Orediggers won their season opener, 6-2, on Saturday in a seven inning affair, but dropped an 11-6 decision in Satruday's second game, a nine inning game. On Sunday, York pulled out a 7-6 win in another nine inning game.

In the opener of the series, CSM sophomore Josh Hegg (Colorado Springs, Colo./New Mexico State) fired a complete game, five hitter as he allowed two runs, one earned.

Junior third baseman Joel D'Cristina (Pueblo, Colo./Pueblo Central) hit .417 (5-12) on the weekend with two doubles a triple and three RBI. Sophomore centerfielder Nick Walker (Wheat Ridge, Colo./Wheat Ridge) drove in a team-best five runs, including three with a homer in Sunday's game.

CSM (1-2) will return to action with a four-game series at Eastern New Mexico this weekend. The teams will play a single game on Friday at 6:00 pm, a doubleheader on Saturday at 12:00 pm and a single game on Sunday at 12:00 pm.

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