Box Score EMPORIA, Kan. (February 6, 2016)– With the score tied at four entering the ninth inning, Francis Griffin (Sr., Oakland, Calif.) stepped to the plate and belted a home run. Griffin's blast gave the Colorado State University-Pueblo baseball team (1-1) a 5-4 win over Emporia State University and their first victory of 2016.
Jordan Godman (Sr., Las Vegas, Nev.) collected three hits in five trips. Godman also drove in two runs and scored twice. After two steals in the Pack's season opener, Godman swiped two more bags. He now has four steals through his first two games.
Freshman, Gilbert Sauceda (Fr., Indio, Calif.) made an impact in his second game with the Pack. Sauceda reached base in each of his five trips with two hits and three walks. He plated two runs in the win.
The Pack wasted no time getting on the board as they took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Godman singled then stole second. He advanced on a throwing error during his steal attempt and scored on a Sauceda single.
After a scoreless start for Emporia State, the Pack added to its lead in the second. With two outs, senior Beau Cebulski (C, Las Animas, Calif.) walked. Griffin followed with a double. Godman plated both runners on a double to give the Pack a 3-0 lead.
CSU-Pueblo padded its lead in the top of the fourth. Godman reached third base again following a single, an error, and a stolen base. He scored again on a Sauceda single.
Emporia State rallied in its half of the fourth. The Hornets got a two-run home run to close within two. With two outs and two, Emporia State slugged a double that tied the game at four.
Midway through the bottom of the fourth, Tyler Rich (Sr., Colton, Calif.) entered the game in relief of Cameron Weinberg (Jr., San Juan Capistrano). Rich shut the Hornets down over the final 5.1 innings to earn his first win of 2016.
The game would remain tied until the ninth inning. Griffin led off the inning with a solo shot to that would put the Pack back in front. This home run would eventually be the game winner.
With a 5-4 lead entering the bottom of the ninth, the Pack turned to Rich to close out the Hornets. Rich allowed a hit, but did not allow a run as he shut the door on Emporia State and gave the Pack its first win of the season.
Rich allowed just two hits and a walk in his 5.1 innings of work. Griffin finished the game 2-for-4 with two runs scored.
The Pack and the Hornets will play a rubber match, Sunday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 11 a.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.
