The early innings unfolded as a measured pitchers' duel. Clementz worked around a leadoff single by Frank Gall in the first inning, stranding Gall at third after striking out John Connors and Jeremiah Cabuyaban before getting Wilmer Jimenez to ground out. The only early damage against Clementz came in the second, when Clement Carrasquero launched a solo home run to left field to give the Bearcats a 1–0 edge.

Clementz quickly regrouped, retiring seven of the next eight hitters while keeping Northwest Missouri State off the bases. As the right-hander found his rhythm, the ThunderWolves' offense began to wake up in the fourth inning.

George Andrews opened the frame with a double to right field, and moments later Dax Howard delivered a run-scoring double of his own to bring CSU Pueblo even. After Howard advanced to third, Jason Arriola reached on a fielding error that allowed Howard to score, giving the Pack their first lead of the afternoon. Kyle Miller followed with a single down the left-field line to drive in Arriola, capping a three-run inning and putting CSU Pueblo ahead 3–1.

The fifth inning proved to be the turning point — and the ThunderWolves' most productive stretch at the plate. Logan Kelly started the rally with a single up the middle before Andrews worked a walk. Howard then came through again, lining an RBI single to score Kelly. Cody Macias followed with a sharp single to center, driving in Andrews, and Arriola added another RBI with a base hit up the middle. A passed ball allowed Arriola to move into scoring position, and Miller delivered once more, knocking in Macias to push the lead to 7–1.

With a commanding cushion behind him, Clementz continued to deal. He cruised through the fifth and sixth innings, inducing soft contact and stranding runners when needed. Clementz finished his afternoon after seven strong innings, allowing just three runs on six hits while striking out six, leaving the ThunderWolves in full control heading into the late innings.

Everything changed in the eighth. Sam Dinkelman opened the inning with a walk, and Gall followed with a double into the left-center gap. After a pitching change, wild pitches allowed Dinkelman to score and Gall to advance before Gall crossed the plate moments later, trimming the lead to 7–3. Connors worked a walk, and after a sacrifice bunt by Cabuyaban, Jimenez was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Jordi Ventura then singled to center, with defensive miscues allowing three unearned runs to score and suddenly tying the game at 7–7.

The Bearcats weren't finished. In the ninth inning, Connors singled through the left side and was replaced by pinch runner Brody Hufft. After Cabuyaban drew a walk and Jimenez singled to load the bases, Ventura delivered again, ripping a two-RBI single through the right side to give Northwest Missouri State its first lead since the second inning. Chester Brooks followed with another RBI single, pushing the advantage to 9–7.

CSU Pueblo had one final chance in the bottom of the ninth, but the Bearcats' closer retired Macias, Arriola, and Miller in order to seal the comeback.

Despite out-hitting Northwest Missouri State and controlling the game for seven innings, the ThunderWolves were left with a difficult loss defined not by how it started, but by how quickly it unraveled. A dominant performance through the middle innings slipped away late, serving as a reminder of baseball's unforgiving nature.

The ThunderWolves will have little time to dwell on the setback, as the four-game series concludes Monday at noon at Rawlings Field. With the series even, CSU Pueblo will look to regroup quickly and finish strong as the Pack aim to earn a series split on their home field.