EDMOND, Okla. – MSU Denver had another strong pitching effort Friday, but Central Oklahoma's was just a little bit better.
Dylan Hall pitched a complete-game four-hitter, while allowing only
Cade Peters' ninth-inning homer, as the Bronchos defeated MSU Denver 3-1.
Roadrunners starter
Gannon Reiswig pitched 6 2/3 strong innings, allowing three runs on three hits while striking out seven, and
Conner Nantkes and
Carter Akerfelds added 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief.
"It was a well-pitched game by both guys, and their guy is very good," Metropolitan State University of Denver coach
Ryan Strain said. "We knew it was going to be a challenge today, and offensively we didn't handle it well. But Gannon went up against him toe-to-toe. "
Hall, a Virginia Tech transfer, struck out 14.
But it was still a 1-0 game before Central Oklahoma scored two fluke runs in the seventh inning. With the bases loaded and two outs, MSU Denver infielders thought they had recorded a fielder's choice for the final out of the inning at second base. The ball was flipped to the pitcher's mound as the players began leaving the field, however the runner was called safe at second and two runs wound up scoring.
"Cade's homer would've tied it, but instead it was 3-1," Strain said. "It was just an unfortunate play. But it was a good game against a good team. It was a good college baseball game."
Peters' homer came in the ninth inning and was his third of the season.
Reiswig dropped to 0-2, but he has a 3.94 ERA and has struck out 17 in 16 innings pitched. The Roadrunners have a solid 4.33 team ERA.
"I'm really pleased with our pitchers, all three threw the ball well today," Strain said. "We just haven't been able to get over the hump offensively. We just need to continue to pitch and play defense and get better on the offensive side."
MSU Denver dropped to 2-7 against Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association teams. Central Oklahoma, picked to finish second in the MIAA, is 7-2.
The teams will wrap up the three-game series with a doubleheader – both nine-inning games – starting at noon MST Saturday. The game scheduled for Sunday was moved up due to rain in the forecast.
"Close games like that, you've got to make plays and get the big hit in the big situation," Strain said. "Unfortunately we've fallen short on that a couple of times this year. But if we keep pitching the way we are, we're going to be fine."
