ThunderWolves drop both games, but fall backward into clinching playoff spot.

PUEBLO, Colo. (GoThunderWolves.com - Apr. 30, 2011) - CSU-Pueblo fell short in a pair of close contests Saturday, unable to finish late rallies against Mesa State, falling 5-4 and 4-2 to the Mavericks.

Despite getting strong pitching performances in each game, first in a six-hit performance by Joey Juarez (Jr., Oxnard, Calif.) in the early game, then a seven-hit game by Jeremiah Struble (So., Manitou Springs, Colo.) in the late game, inability to get clutch hits defined the day.

CSU-Pueblo was 6-for-25 with runners in scoring position combined over the two games, a .240 average, factoring in to the 15 runners the ThunderWolves left stranded on the basepaths over the two games.

The two losses, however, came with the unexpected surprise of an RMAC playoff spot, as the two Colorado School of Mines losses Saturday allowed the Pack to clinch a spot in the postseason. 

CSU-Pueblo will go for the series split Sunday when it closes out its four-game set with the Mavericks, with first pitch scheduled for 12 p.m.