TUCSON, Ariz. - The Colorado State University Pueblo Baseball squad opened their 2025 campaign with two wins at the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Ariz., defeating Wayne State College and the University of Mary.

A strong hitting performance from the Pack propelled the victories, as the ThunderWolves defeated Wayne State College 10-9 in game one, and 9-7 over the University of Mary in game two.

Kino Sports Complex is the former Spring Training Complex of the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Chicago White Sox. The Pack were able to use the thin air to their advantage, accumulating 19 runs and 22 hits in the Southern Arizona Desert. 

Jack Novak (Highlands Ranch, Colo./Thunder Ridge) picked up the win in game one in relief, while Luke Schmedding (Olathe, Kan./Blue Valley Southwest) picked up the win in relief in game two. Leading the way offensively for the Pack was former Atlanta Braves Minor Leaguer Noah Williams (Carson, Calif./Redondo Union), as the young California Native went 4-6 in game one with two RBI's, and 1-3 in game two with two RBI's.

ABOUT THE WINS
In game one against the squad from Wayne, Neb., the Pack had to work for their victory, eventually winning the game in the bottom of the ninth inning with some heads up base running from Williams. CSU Pueblo did indeed trail late in the game at 9-7 in the bottom of the eighth. The ThunderWolves enabled their clutch gene, picking up timely hits in the eighth and ninth inning. 

Christian Castaneda (El Paso, Texas/Otero JC) doubled in a run in the bottom of the eighth to cut the lead down to 9-8, and in the bottom of the ninth inning, Williams singled up the middle to drive in a run to tie the game. Williams then scored the walk off run when Wyatt Reginato (Cottonwood, Calif./Folsom Lake) hit into a fielder's choice, but beat out the throw, giving the ThunderWolves the opening day win.

The ThunderWolves once again had to play catch up in game two against the University of Mary, as the Pack fell down in an early hole 6-1 after the first inning. The ThuderWolves were able to claw their way back in the second inning, scoring three runs with RBI's from Jeremiah Sanchez (Pueblo, Colo./Pueblo West), Williams, and Rob Mansour (La Verne, Calif./Cuesta College). 

The Pack were able to retake the lead in the third inning, scoring on miscues from the Marauders, going up 8-6 after teh third inning.

Pitching Coach Jared Morton was able to get his guys some outs after the high scoring first three innings. After the third inning the Pack only allowed two hits and one run with a stellar bullpen performance from Schmedding, Luke Ruby (Fort Collins, Colo./Resurrection Christian), and Cole Bloomer (Arapahoe, Colo./Lamar CC). 

Up 8-6 in the eighth inning, the Marauders were able to get a run across on a sac fly, but Castaneda gave the ThunderWolves some insurance in the top half of the ninth, drilling a single down the left field line to score Mansour. First year Pack member Alex Oliver (Grove, Okla./Coffeyville CC) relieved Bloomer and picked up the save, recording two strikeouts on just 11 pitches.

WORDS FROM THE SKIPPER
Head Coach Bobby Applegate said after the two wins, "Really good character wins today. Got a good start by Travis Farrell today in game 1, put us in a position late to come from behind and win in the 9th. Noah Williams had a solid day at the plate. Game two, we got behind early but jake Pacheco settled in and got great offensive production collectively. We got good pitching by Luke Ruby and Alex Oliver late. Overall a good day of playing in some tight ball games and coming out on the positive side. We are playing at a great stadium and got some warm weather. We're just excited to get the season rolling."

UP NEXT FOR THE PACK
The Pack are back at it tomorrow evening as they will face the University of Mary once again at 6:00 PM in Tucson. The weekend will conclude with a 1:00 PM game against Wayne State on Sunday afternoon.