PUEBLO, Colo. (February 19, 2021) - Colorado State University Pueblo Baseball finally returns to action when they Emporia State on Opening Day Saturday at 1 p.m. at Rawlings Field. The Pack will also clash with the Hornets Sunday in a doubleheader starting at 12 p.m.
 
Game Information:
Due to COVID 19 safety protocols, no fans will be allowed in Massari Arena. Click Here to watch the game's live stream on the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Network.
 
This weekend's series will be the Pack debut for Head Coach Damian Stambersky. Stambersky comes to the Pack from University of Central Missouri. In his six seasons as Assistant Coach, the Mules went 210-91.
 
In addition, the Pack will debut a new look Rawlings Field that features improved turf, facilities, and locker rooms. An upgraded press box, lighting, audio system, and dugout were also included in the renovations.
 
The ThunderWolves return the bulk of their team that started the 2020 season 10-6 before the shutdown due to COVID-19. This included a series win over the Hornets
 
The Pack defeated Emporia State 3-2 on opening day a season ago. Daniel Abiles (Sr., Chandler, Ariz.) sparked a three-run fourth with a two-run single. The Pack's bullpen tossed 5.0 scoreless innings of relief. Abiles led the Pack with a .333 average a season ago.
 
Seven starters return to anchor the Pack's offense.  Ty Lewis (Jr., Pleasant Grove, Utah) led the Pack with three home runs and 15 RBIs last season, ninth-most in the RMAC. Aidan Welch (Jr., Seattle, Wash.) and Mike Gonzalez (Jr., Los Angeles, Calif.) each hit .327 last season. Gonzalez ranked ninth in the RMAC with a .459 on-base percentage.
 
The Pack's pitching staff returns three starting pitchers from a season ago.  This includes Brett Matthews (Sr., Queen Creek, Ariz.) who earned RMAC Pitcher of The Week honors Feb. 25, 2020. Matthews ranked seventh in the RMAC with 30 strikeouts. He limited opponents to a .218 batting average, ninth-lowest in the RMAC.
 
Cole Martin (Jr., Ridgecrest, Calif.) finished the season 1-0 with a 2.00 ERA. He fanned 11 batters in nine innings. Tim McIntyre (Jr., Highlands Ranch, Colo.) posted a 1-0 record with a 4.63 ERA.
 
JC Hatch  (Sr., Corona, Calif.) dominated out of the bullpen last season with a 3-0 record and a 2.20 ERA. He ranked third among qualified pitchers in the RMAC in ERA. Hatch struckout 18 batters in 16.1 innings.
 
Johnathan Ramirez (Jr., Henderson, Colo.) threw 10.1 innings of scoreless relief last season. Ramirez and Hatch will anchor a Pack bullpen that returns seven relievers. Thirteen ThunderWolves bench players also return from last year.
 
Seven newcomers have joined the Pack for the 2021 season.  Three redshirt players from a season ago will also look to make an impact for the Pack.
 
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