ThunderWolves batter defending RMAC champ with 16 hits.

LAS VEGAS, N.M. (GoThunderWolves.com - Mar. 25, 2011) - Aided by a stellar bounce back effort by starter Cole Stephens (Sr., Amarillo, Tex.) as well as a 16-hit offensive explosion, CSU-Pueblo beat back a 3-0 first inning setback to claim a 12-3 win over New Mexico Highlands Friday.

CSU-Pueblo seemed headed to defeat early on, as the Cowboys torched Stephens for three runs and three hits in the first inning to take an early 3-0 lead.

But the Pack answered right back with a five-run second inning, which included a two-run double by Chase Lacomb (So., Las Vegas, Nev.) and a two-run single by Josiah Rodriguez (Sr., San Jose, Calif.).

While the hits came coming, including a two-run home run in the third inning by Kyle Wager (Sr., Globe, Ariz.), Stephens settled down in a big way on the mound.  After his three-run hiccup in the first inning, he gave up just three hits over the next seven innings, at one point retiring ten straight Cowboys.

With the win, CSU-Pueblo improves to 13-9 on the season and 8-5 in RMAC play.  It will engage again with New Mexico Highlands Saturday in a doubleheader, kicking off at noon.