GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (May 8, 2019) – Gilbert Sauceda set the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference career walks record, but No. 6 seed Colorado State University-Pueblo Baseball fell to No. 1 seed Colorado Mesa University 11-4 in the first round of the RMAC Tournament Wednesday at Suplizio Field.
Sauceda (Sr., Indio, Calif.) entered the RMAC Tournament tied for the conference record with 151 walks. The Pack's leadoff hitter drew three walks to set the new RMAC record at 154. Sauceda broke a record that stood for 17 years.
Wednesday, Sauceda scored two of the Pack's four runs. He reached base four times in five trips, going 1-for-2 in addition to his three free passes. Sauceda surpassed 50 runs scored for the first time in his career.
Easton Adler (Jr., Mead, Colo.) drove in three runs. Adler went 1-for-3 with a double. He also had a sacrifice and was hit by pitch.
Daniel Abiles (Jr., Chandler, Ariz.) picked up a pair of hits in four trips. He scored a run in the loss.
The Mavericks hit a three-run home run in the first inning to jump in front. The Pack closed within one in the top of the third. Sauceda drew his record-breaking 152nd career walk.
Adrian Martinez (Jr., Tucson, Ariz.) whacked a single that scored Sauceda with two outs to bring the Pack back within two.
Mesa hit three solo home runs in the bottom of the third to push their lead to 6-1. They added a two-run home run in the fifth to make it 8-1.
The Pack rallied in the sixth. Abiles singled. Holguin and Sauceda each walked. Adler blasted a bases clearing double to make it 8-4.
Unfortunately, the Pack could not muster any more offense. The Mavericks scored one in the seventh and two in the eighth as they pulled away with an 11-4 win.
Beau Brieske (Jr., Chandler, Ariz.) took the loss, falling to 7-5. Andrew Morris picked up the win for the Mavericks.
The ThunderWolves will play their second game in this double elimination tournament Thursday at 11 a.m. They will play the loser of the game between No.5 seed Metro State University and No.2 seed Colorado School of Mines.
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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
