Mistakes in key situations costs the game for Pack.  

PUEBLO, Colo. (GoThunderWolves.com - Mar. 29, 2011) - Though it was a non-conference game, CSU-Pueblo's battle Tuesday with Metro State held a lot of weight insofar as regional rankings were concerned, but the Pack made just one mistake too many in a close-fought game, falling 6-5 to the Roadrunners.

CSU-Pueblo had control for most of the game, but several key mistakes sank the ThunderWolves.

The first came with the score tied 2-2 in the top of the 5th inning as Metro State had runners at first and third with one out.  In a confused pickoff attempt, pitcher Joey Juarez (Jr., Oxnard, Calif.) fired a pickoff attempt to third, only to watch the ball flutter into the visiting bullpen and usher in a Metro State run, part of a two-run inning as Metro took a 4-2 lead.

The Pack immediately got the lead, scoring three runs in the bottom half of the fifth by juicing the bases and scoring on two sacrifice flies, taking a 5-4 lead.

But the Pack again lost the lead in the 7th as Jake Danneffel fired what would be the game-winning home run over the leftfield fence, part of a two-run seventh. 

The error and the home run undid what was a strong game for Juarez on the mound, who came on after starter Zack Richmond (Sr., Chino Hills, Calif.) had a rough start.  Juarez pitched five innings of relief, striking out seven batters, but scattering eight hits and allowing four runs.

CSU-Pueblo will look to rebound from the loss as it enters perhaps the most important series of the season thus far as it takes on the RMAC's lone nationally-ranked team, Nebraska-Kearney, for four games at Rawlings Field.  The Friday game, the first Friday night game of the season, will begin at 6 p.m.