Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 LAS VEGAS, N.M. - Metro State freshman Ryan Baca (Loveland, Colo./Loveland H.S.) threw a complete-game shutout on Friday in his second career start, blanking New Mexico Highlands 2-0 in Las Vegas, N.M., in Game Two after the Roadrunners fell 9-8 in Game One. MSU Denver is now 14-27 overall, while NMHU is 29-18.

Baca scattered four hits and two walks, while striking out two in seven innings.

Zac Baldini (Lakewood, Colo./Green Mountain H.S.) doubled with one out in the fourth and scored on a sacrifice fly by Danny Westerberg (Parker, Colo./Chaparral H.S.). Darryl Baca (Loveland, Colo./Loveland H.S.) provided his younger brother an insurance run in the fifth, doubling home Nick Comito (Lakewood, Colo./Mullen H.S.).

In Game One, Darryl Baca (Loveland, Colo./Loveland H.S.) and Gavin Purvis (Albuquerque, N.M./Cibola H.S.) each went 4-for-5 with a home run, two runs scored and a run batted in. Chris Spirek (Arvada, Colo./Ralston Valley H.S.) and Reilly Mau (Longmont, Colo./Longmont H.S.) each had three hits. Unfortunately, the team's 17 hits were not enough.

Starter Patrick Gojan (Highlands Ranch, Colo./Mountain Vista H.S.) gave up seven runs in 1+ inning, failing to retire a batter in the second inning. Mike Thill (Littleton, Colo./Columbine H.S.) came on and slowed the Cowboys bats, giving up two runs in five innings. Kris Lalk (Lakewood, Colo./Green Mountain H.S.) threw two hitless innings after Thill.

After Purvis' home run to left-center cut the deficit to 9-8 in the top of the ninth, Baldini reached on an error with one out. The Highlands escaped with the win, getting a strikeout and pop out to end the game.

The two teams will meet for a doubleheader on Saturday.