PUEBLO, Colo. (April 8, 2016) – Colorado State University-Pueblo baseball's offense could not overcome No.2 Colorado Mesa University's pitching Friday night at Rawlings Field as the Pack dropped a 6-2 final in the series opener.

With the loss, CSU-Pueblo's record moves to 20-8 on the season with a 14-3 record in RMAC games. The Mavericks improved to 29-5 (19-2 RMAC).

The Pack scattered three hits and seven total base runners as they lost back-to-back games for the first time this season. CSU-Pueblo did increase the ERA of CMU starter, JR McDermott, who entered the game with the nation's second-best ERA (0.53).

A pitcher's duel broke out at Rawlings field early. Brandon Conlin (Jr., Norco, Calif.) kept pace with McDermott for the first six innings.

CSU-Pueblo claimed the lead in the fifth. Beau Cebulski (Sr., Las Animas, Calif.) drew a base on balls. Manny Menocal (Sr., Las Vegas, Nev.) drove in Cebulski with a RBI double. Menocal's eighth two-bagger of the season gave the Pack a 1-0 lead.

After six brilliant innings, Conlin finally relented in the seventh. The Mavericks scored four runs in the top half to take a 4-1 lead into the seventh inning stretch.

The Pack got one back in their half of the eighth. Jordyn Compehos (Jr., Las Vegas, Nev.) singled. He would later score on an Oliver Jackson (Jr., Mission Viejo, Calif.) sacrifice fly. Jackson's 24th RBI of the season brought the Pack within two and chased McDermott.

In the top of the ninth, the Mavericks added a pair of insurance runs. Tyler Ehlers came in during the eighth inning and closed out the Pack as Mesa escaped with a 6-2 win in game one of the series. McDermott improved to 6-0 after striking seven batters in seven innings.  Ehlers earned his fourth save of the season.

Conlin's record slips to 3-2. He went 6.2 innings allowing four runs and striking out five.

Senior Jordan Godman (Las Vegas, Nev.) extended his hitting streak with a 1-for-4 day at the dish. Godman has hit safely in all 28 Pack games this season.

Dominick Bregar (Sr., Pueblo, Colo.) walked twice in the game for the Pack. Bregar has now reached base in 33 consecutive games dating back to last season.

The Pack and Mavericks will meet again Saturday in a doubleheader at Rawlings Field. First pitch in game one is scheduled for 1 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.