CSM Baseball bests UNK 2 out of 3 games

The Oredigger Baseball Team snapped a three game losing streak by taking two of three games against the University of Nebraska Kearney.

Mines won the first game on Friday, March 23, in a 15-10 slugfest. The highlight of the game came in the bottom of the seventh when junior Garrett Schirmacher hit a home run to right-center field to put Mines up 14-10. Mines relief pitcher Eric Shannon pitched three-and-a-half innings, and had eight strikeouts while surrendering only two runs. He was awarded with the save for his effort. Mines starter Matt Poulin was credited with his win second win of the year, and the other pitcher of record was Nebraska Kearney’s Cory Ridenour.

Mines lost the second game and if it was not for the top of the second inning where Kearney scored seven runs, it would have been a much closer game. In the end, the Lopers prevailed 13-4.

One of the more peculiar plays of the second game happened In the top of the fourth as Mines catcher Jordan Williams caught the ball five feet up the third base line as a UNK player came racing around the base. The UNK player slid into Williams’ legs, knocking the ball free. Williams then picked the ball up and tagged the runner for the third out of the inning, as the runner had never touched home.

The third game on Saturday was much closer, and Mines was able to pull out a 4-3 victory. The Orediggers jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the second inning, but were forced to hold on late as UNK clawed their way back into the game. Mines entered the final inning leading 4-2, but UNK scored and had the tying run on base before sophomore Peter Herrin shut down the Lopers and stalled their rally. Herrin threw a complete game on 104 pitches and gave up only eight hits in the win. It was his first win of the year, improving his record to 1-1 overall.

The Orediggers are currently 8-11 overall and 7-8 in RMAC play. With twenty five games left in the season they can still have a winning record and may even reach the postseason.