COLORADO SPRINGS, CO – Behind the efforts of a relentless offensive attack and a pair of suffocating relief efforts, the University of Mary baseball team overcame a double digit deficit to complete a weekend sweep of the University of Colorado Colorado Springs 23-17. The Marauders scored the last 12 runs of the game to set school record for runs and hits.
The Marauders tied the school record for runs in the game, first set in 1999. The 23 hits is a new school mark, exceeding the total of 22 from 2000. The 21 runs batted in breaks the old high of 20 (1999, 2008). The seven doubles is a new NCAA high water mark.
Despite scoring the first three runs of the game, the Marauders found themselves down 16-6 after four innings.
UMary started making its move in the 5
th inning on RBI singles from
Calvin James and
Noah Hull. The push continued in the 6
th, scoring three times on a wild pitch, a passed ball and another RBI single from James. The Mountain Lions followed with a run in the bottom of the inning to claim a 17-11 lead.
The last three innings belonged to the Marauders. With
Liam Sommer and
Mark Schommer shutting down the UCCS offense, UMary kept up the attack.
James Martin slammed a 2-run home run to start an 8-run 7
th inning for the Marauders. After
Michael Polson ripped a run-scoring double, James singled home two more runs to close the UMary deficit to a single run, setting the stage for
Ben Prediger to take the spotlight. Prediger, who posted a 4-hit game on Sunday, blasted a 3-run home run to right field to give UMary a 19-17 advantage, the Marauders first lead since the first inning.
Kyle Jameson cracked a solo shot over the left center wall in the 8
th inning to keep the Marauders momentum going forward.
Prediger closed the scoring in the 9
th with his second 3-run home run of the game as the Marauders scored the final 12 runs of the day.
With the offense surging, Sommer and Schommer combined to allow one run and one hit in five innings. Sommer, who earned the win, allowed one run on one hit in two innings. Schommer earned a save with three scoreless innings. He struck out five and didn't allow a hit or a walk. He allowed only one baserunner on a hit batter.
With two home runs and six RBIs, Prediger equaled the Marauders NCAA-era single game highs in both categories after coming off the bench partway though the game. He finished the contest 3-for-3 with three runs scored and
Polson,
Derek Shoen and Jameson all scored four runs in the game, also tying the NCAA-era team high.
Several Marauders had big days offensively:
- Michael Polson | 3x5, 4 R, 2 2B, 1 RBI
- Cal James | 3x5, 3 R, 4 RBIs
- Derek Shoen | 2x3, 4 R, 1 2B, 2 BB
- Noah Hull | 3x7, 1 R, 3 RBIs
- Ben Prediger | 3x3, 3 R, 2 HR, 6 RBIs
- James Martin | 2x6, 1 R, 1 HR, 3 RBIs
- Riley Schlimm | 2x4, 2 RBIs
- Braxton Inniss | 2 R
- Kyle Jameson | 4x6, 4 R, 2 2B, 1 HR, 1 RBI
Kit Wiginton led UCCS with three hits and seven RBIs. Caleb Stubbings homered twice.
The Marauders wrap up a 4-day 5-game swing through Colorado with a visit to Colorado State University Pueblo on Tuesday, March 1. Game time is 2 pm CST.
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