by Jason Cowan
PUEBLO, Colo. (Gothunderwolves.com – April, 27, 2014) - The Colorado State University-Pueblo ThunderWolves baseball team had seen better days, heading into the series finale against the New Mexico Highlands University Cowboys, attempting to avoid the sweep in the 2014 home finale.
The ThunderWolves went into Friday night's Pack the Park game 2 1/2 games back of the Cowboys in the Plains Division, and then lost the first three games of the series, as the Cowboys were able to clinch the division.
It seemed like much of the same again on Sunday at Rawlings Field, as the Cowboys jumped out to a 3-1 lead early in the game, then took a 4-1 lead into the eighth inning.
However, Shane Richins (Jr., Heber, Utah) happened.
In the bottom of the eighth, the ThunderWolves got within a run when Richins singled through the left side, scoring Mike Wagner (Jr., Golden, Colo.) from second, while Branden Mondragon (R-Fr., Pueblo, Colo.), who advanced to third, scored on a fielding error that also advanced Richins to second base.
Two batter later, after a sacrifice bunt moved Richins to third base; Lawrence Chavez (Jr., Estancia, N.M.) scored Richins on an RBI groundout, to tie the game at 4.
After a clean top of the ninth, the Pack, with the bases loaded and two outs, scored the game-winning run after Richins singled down the right field line. The ball was just outside the reach of Cowboys first baseman Javier Ledford, who came in as a defensive replacement at the start of the half inning.
On the afternoon, Richins went 2-for-4, with two RBIs, a walk and one run scored. Victor Soto (Jr., Whittier, Calif.), who was the starting pitcher on Sunday, picked up the win after pitching a complete game, giving up four earned runs on nine hits while striking out four.
With the win, the ThunderWolves (24-21, 20-14 RMAC) are now just one game back of the Colorado School of Mines Orediggers (23-18, 21-13 RMAC) for third place in the RMAC standings, with one series remaining in the regular season against the Adams State Grizzlies next weekend in Alamosa, beginning on Friday (May 2) at 3 p.m.
