Triple threat in tripleheader

Written byRobert Dran
(rdran@mscd.edu)
Photo by Andrew Bisset
(abisset1@mscd.edu)

The Roadrunners swept a triple-header against Santa Fe College Feb. 22 at Auraria Fields, improving their record to 9-4.

Metro outscored Santa Fe 47-12 including a 22-1 shelling in the second game. Originally four games were scheduled, but the double-header Feb. 21 was postponed due to the snowfall that put two inches of snow on All Star Park Feb. 20.

Scheduling a triple-header was unusual. Left fielder Marcel Dominguez said the last time he recalled playing in a triple-header was when he played Little League, but believes there were advantages to the scheduling.

“It is good for the coach so he can get a good look at everyone,” Dominguez said. “Everyone got in at least eight at-bats. We also got to play a new center fielder, pitcher, and left fielder.”
As for the games, Metro was able to string hits together and bat in runs while keeping the pitching and defense consistent. Metro’s ability to hit at the bottom of the order made them difficult to pitch around.

Nevertheless, the big bats were not shy either. First baseman Jason Stouffer hit two home runs on the day, including a grand slam. This increased his team-leading total to five home runs this season. Center fielder and lead off hitter Chris Redding also belted two home runs. Third baseman Dakota Nahm, first baseman/catcher Tyree Abshire and second baseman Brett Bowman scored one home run each on the day. First-year head coach Jerry Schemmel was still cautious in his assessment.

"The key for us was Santa Fe only had 18 players,” Schemmel said. “They are dismantling their team at the end of the season so the program is in shambles.”

The games were a key confidence-builder for Metro, who is now on a six-game winning streak. Metro will need all the confidence they can muster when they visit the Mesa State Mavericks in Grand Junction Feb. 27-Mar. 1. The Mavericks are ranked No. 4 in the country. They beat Regis University, a team Metro struggled to split a weekend series against at the beginning of the season, 22-5. The Roadrunners’ primary reason for struggling against RU was errors, which Metro has improved on. Still Metro overcame five errors in a series they dominated.

Mesa State is considered a free-swinging team that scores a lot of runs. The whole team has a batting average of over .400. They are a team that combines power and speed to gain victories, yet they led the league in ERA last season. Still the Mavericks’ ability to overcome their pitching woes and remain one of the top teams, makes them a strong, but not invincible, opponent. Defensively, Metro will look to stop MSC’s batters. On the offensive side, Metro will look to rock the Mavericks’ weak pitching at Lincoln Park Feb. 27-Mar. 1 in Grand Junction.