Box Score GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (April 2, 2015) ~ The No. 8/9 Colorado State University-Pueblo baseball team saw its 15-game winning streak come to an end Thursday as No. 1 Colorado Mesa University edged the ThunderWolves, 2-1, at Suplizio Field.
The loss, their first since March 6, drops the Pack to 25-4 overall and 17-2 in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference games. The Mavericks improve to 28-3 overall and 20-1 in league tilts to maintain their first-place standing in the conference over CSU-Pueblo.
Colorado Mesa scored two runs on three hits, committed one error and left five runners on base. The ThunderWolves tallied one run on three hits, played error-free baseball and also stranded five base runners.
The contest featured a great pitching duel between CSU-Pueblo starter Zac Wittmus (Sr., Brighton, Colo.) and Colorado Mesa's Tyler Ehlers. Wittmus suffered the loss despite pitching eight strong innings. The right hander gave up two runs on just three hits, walked three and recorded three strikeouts. Ehlers earned the win after going eight innings, giving up one run on three hits, walking two and striking out three. Joey Capistran worked a scoreless ninth to pick up the save for the home team.
Jordan Godman (Jr., Las Vegas, Nev.), Dominick Bregar (Jr., Pueblo, Colo.) and Beau Cebulski (Jr., Las Animas, Colo.) each notched one hit for the Pack. Godman also had the lone RBI of the contest for the visitors.
Both starting pitchers were dealing early as each team was limited to one hit apiece through the first four innings.
In the top of the fifth frame, the Pack got a runner in scoring position thanks to a two-out double to center field by Cebulski. Ehlers got out of the jam, inducing the next batter into a ground out to end the inning.
Colorado Mesa worked the game's first run across in the bottom of the fifth inning on a fielder's choice ground out. The Mavericks tacked on their second tally of the contest in the next inning courtesy of a two-out double by Bligh Madris.
With Wittmus continuing to pitch strong, the ThunderWolves' offense began to mount a rally in the top of the eighth inning. Shane Fessel (Jr., Aurora, Colo.) reached on an error to open the inning and was then replaced by pinch runner Chris Ramsey (Sr., Westminster, Colo.). After Cebulski struck out, Lawrence Chavez (Sr., Estancia, N.M.) worked a walk to put runners at first and second with one out. Godman followed with a single up the middle to score Ramsey and pull the Pack to within one, at 2-1. CSU-Pueblo's rally was snuffed out as Ehlers was able to induce a double play ground out to end the threat.
After a scoreless bottom of the eighth inning, the ThunderWolves had one last chance to tie the score in the top of the ninth frame. With one out, Mike Wagner (Sr., Golden, Colo.) worked a walk, but didn't advance past first base as the next two batters were retired to end the game.
The Pack and Mavericks resume their four-game series Friday. The two squads will play a doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m.
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As a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, Colorado State University – Pueblo competes in 22 varsity sports in NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletics.
