DENVER – Bill Ralston delivered his second two-homer day in his last three games and Reichle Arcilise pitched six strong innings as MSU Denver defeated Central Oklahoma 12-2 Friday in a game shortened to seven innings due to the 10-run rule.
 
Ralston's three-run shot in the bottom of the seventh was, in effect, a walk-off blast, as it led to the 10-run rule being invoked. Coaches had agreed before the game to play with the 10-run rule if necessary.
 
"Obviously Billy with a couple of home runs was really big, especially his second walkoff in two games," Strain said. "I hadn't told our guys that we had a 10-run rule because I didn't want them thinking about it, but I then I was the only one who knew the game was over when it happened."
 
Arcilise (1-1) allowed one run on four hits, with no walks and eight strikeouts, in his six-inning effort. The right-hander sliced his ERA to 3.75.
 
"Reichle did a great job on the mound and gave us a chance early, and then our offense was able to come up with enough big hits and had some good, tough at-bats," Strain said.
 
Chase Anderson launched a three-run homer in the second inning, his second homer of the year, to make it 4-0, and Ralston's solo homer in the seventh made it 7-0. Ralston also had a game-ending hit in MSU Denver's other victory, Sunday's 11-inning win over Minot State (N.D.).
 
Ralston led the way with three hits and four RBIs, and Cody Schultz was 2-for-3 in his season debut. Both Schultz and Anderson scored three runs. Caleb Albaugh was 2-for-4.
 
"I'm really proud of the way our guys played," Strain said. "It was freezing cold, and we were able to sneak it in before the weather came in. The guys handled it really well."