DENVER – A promising start to the day wound up in a frustrating finish as MSU Denver split a non-conference doubleheader with Sioux Falls (S.D.) on Saturday, winning the opener 10-3 before falling 15-8.
 
"After we had a big win in the first game, we've got to get after them right away in the second game," Strain said. "And all of our losses, we've given up big innings early and we're always playing from behind."
 
In the opener, freshman Cam Yuran was 2-for-5 with a double, a homer and five RBIs, Ross Smith with 2-for-4 with a homer and two RBIs, and Blake Mattey (2-for-3), Zach Schuler (2-for-4) and Cody Schultz (2-for-4) also had two-hit games.
 
Yuran also drove in a run in the second game to finish 3-for-6 with six RBIs.
 
"He's a really good hitter and he had some good at-bats," Strain said. "It's nice having a guy like that in the seven-hole with all the guys in front of him. He's going to get some good pitches to hit with a chance to drive in some runs, and he's been doing that."
 
Reichle Arcilise (3-1) extended his scoreless innings streak to 13, working the first five innings and allowing four hits and two walks while striking out seven. For the season the right-hander has 36 strikeouts and just five walks in 24 innings while holding opponents to 14 hits and a .165 batting average.
 
"Reichle was really good, gave us a great start," Strain said. "And Brad (Helton) threw well after the first few hitters."
 
After surrendering a three-run homer, Helton pitched the final four innings to earn his first career save.
 
A too-familiar bugaboo struck early in the second game, as MSU Denver gave up early runs – three in the first inning this time – to fall behind.
 
The Roadrunners bounced back with five in the bottom of the first, but Sioux Falls tied the game in the second, and tied it again in the fifth.
 
Things unraveled in the sixth as Sioux Falls struck for seven runs.
 
The seven-inning second game took 3:24 to complete and MSU Denver struggled with seven walks, five batters hit by pitches and five errors
 
"We were in a good spot," Strain said. "I was proud of the guys after falling behind 3-0 we had a bunch of good at-bats and took the lead. I was frustrated that when we got the lead we gave it right back.
 
"The pitchers have to do their part. We can't keep going to four or five guys every game. Everybody has had a shot. If someone can step up and do it, they'll get innings."