ThunderWolves' bats heat up and torch Metro State pitching.

PUEBLO, Colo. (GoThunderWolves.com - May 6, 2011) - CSU-Pueblo suggested to fans that it is catching fire at the right time, erupting for a total of 23 hits Friday in a doubleheader sweep of RMAC Mountain Division-leading Metro State, winning 8-5 and 11-7.

Behind a solid pitching performance by Cole Stephens (Sr., Amarillo, Tex.) in the opening game, who hurled eight innings of seven-hit ball, the ThunderWolves' bats were able to pound Metro State pitching.

Trailing 4-0 in the bottom of the sixth inning, the ThunderWolves mounted one of its biggest innings of the season, plating six runs to storm to the lead.  The big hit came from Josiah Rodriguez (Sr., San Jose, Calif.), who connected on a pinch hit two-run single with bases loaded to start the parade of runs.  He would later connect on another RBI single, coming away with three RBI in the first game.

In the second game, the ThunderWolves used a similar formula, going down 5-0 in the bottom of the second inning before putting up a seven in the second inning.  This time around, Beau Stevens (Sr., Westminster, Colo.) emerged as the star, capping the inning with a grand slam that handed the Pack a 7-5 lead.

After Metro State tied the game at 7-7 in the 5th, J.T. Greenhood (Jr., Pueblo, Colo.) connected on an RBI double that put the Pack up 8-7. 

Stevens then connected once more and assuring the Pack's lead for good, hitting a two-run bomb in the sixth inning that sealed the 11-7 win.

CSU-Pueblo improves to 26-22 with the wins, and as a result, clinches the fourth-seed in the RMAC standings and sets up a showdown with RMAC Tournament-host, Mesa State, in the opening game of the RMAC Tournament.  But first things first, the ThunderWolves have their series with Metro State to wrap up with the doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. Saturday.