PUEBLO, Colo. — Despite a four-run fifth inning and multi-hit performances from junior designated hitter Jake Hixenbaugh (Atascadero, Calif./Monterey Peninsula) and redshirt senior shortstop Kyle Miller (Pueblo, Colo./Colorado Mesa), Colorado State University Pueblo dropped the opening game of its Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference series to Colorado Christian, 10-6, here Friday afternoon at Rawlings Field.

With the setback, the Pack falls to 10-16 overall and 2-7 in the RMAC, while CCU snaps a seven-game losing streak and improves to 6-22 overall and 2-11 in the league. The two teams will continue the series with a doubleheader on Saturday, March 28, beginning at noon, and conclude the series with a single game on Sunday, March 29, at noon.

CCU, who snapped a five-game losing skid to the ThunderWolves, struck early, plating two runs in the first inning and adding single runs in the third and fourth innings to build a 4-0 advantage. The Cougars' lead grew to 7-0 in the fifth inning following a sacrifice fly and a two-run homer from Cade Lacy.

The ThunderWolves responded in the bottom half of the inning with their biggest offensive frame of the day. After junior catcher Jason Arriola (Riverside, Calif./Norco) drew a walk and junior centerfielder Logan Kelly (Mission Viejo, Calif./Capistrano Valley Christian) singled, Hixenbaugh delivered a two-run single up the middle to put CSU Pueblo on the board. Later in the inning, sophomore first baseman Tyler Clementz (Gilbert, Ariz./Basha) added a two-run single to left field to trim the deficit to 7–4. Arriola was the first base runner of the game for the Pack, while Kelly's single was the Pack's first hit of the game as CCU starter Zachary Hill retired the first 12 Pack hitters in order.

CCU used a walk, a bunt, a ground out, and an RBI single by Gregory Rangel to take an 8-4 lead, but the Pack again chipped away in the bottom of the seventh as Miller launched a solo home run over the wall in left to pull the Pack within 8-5. Miller's homer was his second of the season.

The Cougars added two insurance runs at the top of the eighth as they capitalized on an error and a sacrifice fly to extend their lead to 10-5.

In the bottom of the eighth, the Pack used a double by senior second baseman Devean Alvarez (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif./Chaffey College) and an RBI single by Hixenbaugh to drop CCU's lead to 10-6. Along with his two hits, Hixenbaugh also finished with 3 RBI.

The Pack put two runners on base and had the tying run on deck in the bottom of the ninth with two outs, when Dylan Novotny ended the game by forcing Arriola to fly out to right to preserve CCU's win.

CCU outhit the Pack, 10-7, as Rangel was 3-for-3 with two runs and 2 RBI, while Lacy was 3-for-5 with 2 runs and 2 RBI.

On the mound, sophomore Frank Flores Jr. (Colorado Springs, Colo./Air Academy) took the loss after allowing seven runs (six earned) on eight hits in 4.2 innings and recorded three strikeouts and one walk. Junior Clayden Brandon (West Herriman, Utah/Western Nebraska CC), senior Cole Bloomer (Parker, Colo./Lamar CC), and senior Alex Oliver (Grove, Okla./Coffeyville CC) combined to close out the final 4.1 innings, with Bloomer allowing just one hit and two unearned runs across two innings of work.

Hill (1-1) earned the win as he tossed five innings and allowed four hits and four runs, while walking two and striking out two. Braxton Davis tossed three innings and allowed three hits and two runs, while walking one and striking out two.

The Pack committed two errors and left seven runners on base. CCU left five runners on base in the win.