Two runs in ninth inning by Colorado Mesa spells 5-3 loss.

PUEBLO, Colo. (GoThunderWolves.com - March 9, 2012) - CSU-Pueblo was victimized by a 9th-inning rally by Colorado Mesa Friday, giving up two runs in the 9th to fall 5-3 to the Mavericks.

CSU-Pueblo pitcher Mike Fabrizio (So., Pueblo, Colo.) and Mesa pitcher Nolan Snell were embroiled in a pitchers' duel for the first eight innings, each giving up just three runs apiece as hits were of a premium.

But in the top of the ninth, with two out and no runners on base, Mesa's Tim Fowler created drama by executing a pinch-hit double on a shallow-hit ball to leftfield.  On the next at bat, Colton Schoelkopf became the hero by turning in an RBI single, and before long, Mesa had a 5-3 lead it would never relinquish.

Fabrizio would be strapped with the hard loss, falling to 2-2 on the season, while a couple of Pack hitters had fine nights, albeit in a losing effort.  Chase Lacomb (Jr., Las Vegas, Nev.) led the cause, reaching base four times and gathering a team-high two hits.

CSU-Pueblo will get another crack at Mesa Saturday, challenging the Mavericks in a doubleheader at Rawlings Field.  First pitch is slated for 1 p.m.