DENVER – When you're not playing well, it seems like there's a game every day.
 
And when you're hot, you can't get back on the field soon enough.
 
MSU Denver, which swept a season-opening four-game series against Fort Hays State (Kan.) two weekends ago, has been itching to get back on the field ever since.
 
"Being able to play was great," MSU Denver coach Ryan Strain said. "We were still able to practice. We weren't as able to scrimmage as much as we wanted last weekend because of the snow, so that affected us a little. But we got in some scrimmages and the guys are excited. Hopefully we can pick up where we left off."
 
The opponent, though, will be formidable. The Roadrunners play a four-game series at Colorado School of Mines, picked to finish second in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. Games include a 4 p.m. single game Friday, a noon doubleheader Saturday, and an 11 a.m. game Sunday.
 
"They've lost a few guys who were key contributors from the past couple of years," Strain said. "So some guys are new or are guys we don't know too much about. They've done a lot of good things over there. We have a decent idea what they'll bring, but there will be some new faces."
 
While sweeping Fort Hays State, MSU Denver – picked fourth in the RMAC – batted .403 as a team, with 11 doubles and 10 homers contributing to a team slugging percentage of .688 and a team OPS of 1.179.
 
The Roadrunners lead NCAA Division II in batting average and slugging percentage, are second in on-base percentage (.491) and are third in home runs per game (2.5)
 
"Just by the way every guy played – and they all produced when they were in there – it gives us a lot of options," Strain said. "It also makes it a little more difficult to choose who to play. It's our job as a staff to figure out who is pitching for them, who is pitching for us, who is hot … and go with the best players for that situation."
 
Colin Stone hit .667 (4-for-6), Bill Ralston was the RMAC Player of the Week after batting .600 (9-for-15) with two homers and six RBIs, Caleb Albaugh hit .600 (6-for-10) and Owen Reynolds hit .583 (7-for-12) with two homers and five RBIs. Six others hit between .333 and .500.
 
"The message is to stay ready, just like last week," Strain said. "And if you're not in the lineup for game one, don't get frustrated about it. You may pinch-hit, pinch-run or go in as a defensive replacement in game one, and you may start game two or game three.
 
"The best thing about it is that our guys respect each other. They know that we have a lot of good players."

Meanwhile, the pitching staff wasn't too shabby, either. It ranks fourth in Division II with 13.5 strikeouts per nine innings while posting a 3.97 ERA.

Strain plans to juggle his starting rotation slightly, with Logan Soole scheduled to start Friday, then Cade Crader in Saturday's opening game ahead of second-game starter Jimmy Dobrash. Sunday's starter is still up in the air.
 
Crader leads Division II with 23.1 strikeouts per nine innings, after fanning 12 in 4 2/3 innings in a no-decision. Soole is at 14.4 strikeouts per nine after fanning eight in five innings while picking up a win. Reliever Conner Nantkes got a win after striking out seven in four innings.
 
"You really like to win that Friday game, and usually you're going up against the other team's best," Strain said. "Soole has been really good, and he's pitched in some big games."