DENVER – What's it like to run out a lineup every game that is, offensively, arguably the best in NCAA Division II?
 
"It's fun," MSU Denver coach Ryan Strain said. "Some of our guys said to me, 'Coach, I think I actually saw you smile.' They continue to do it."
 
Heading into a "pod" weekend at CSU-Pueblo in which the Roadrunners will play two games each against both the host school and Colorado Christian, MSU Denver ranks second in the country in doubles (82), second in homers (57), third in slugging percentage (.617), fifth in triples (16) and ninth in runs (283).
 
Nearly everything clicked offensively last weekend, when the Roadrunners scored 66 runs in four games at UCCS – a school record for a four-game set – and only a walk-off grand slam kept MSU Denver from sweeping the series.
 
"We were finally able to do it," Strain said. "And hopefully we build momentum off it and we can keep things rolling into this weekend."
 
Though the games this weekend are against Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference opponents, they don't count in the RMAC standings. Still, regional rankings positioning is at stake.
 
On Friday, MSU Denver (19-11) plays CSU-Pueblo (18-12) at 1 p.m. and Colorado Christian (7-17) at 4 p.m.
 
Saturday calls for a 3:30 p.m. game against Colorado Christian. And on Sunday the Roadrunners play CSU-Pueblo at 3:30 p.m.
 
Individually for MSU Denver, Bill Ralston ranks second in the country in homers with 14, freshman Cam Yuran is third in slugging percentage (.936), seventh in batting average (.474) and 12^th in on-base percentage (.559) and Ross Smith ranks ninth in doubles (13) and 11^th in total bases (87).
 
The depth of the lineup stretches from top to bottom. Last weekend, for instance, catchers Colin Stone and Keegan Vialpando batted ninth – Stone was 10-for-13 with five extra-base hits, and Vialpando was 3-for-3 in his start.
 
"You're talking 13-for-16 out of your 9-hole, turning it around for the top of your order," Strain said. "When that happens, that's how you score 66 runs in four games."
 
While the importance of the games against CSU-Pueblo probably goes without saying – CSU-Pueblo won 3 of 4 against the Roadrunners earlier this month despite MSU Denver scoring 44 runs – the games with Colorado Christian are just as big.
 
"They're swinging it better than they were early on," Strain said. "They're pitching better. They'll be tough. They've given us some good tests and we need to be ready to play against them. They'll play hard and they're scrappy."
 
As prolific as the offense has been, the Roadrunners are still seeking a first weekend sweep.
 
It seems everyone in the RMAC is picking up at least one win, if not two, against everyone.
 
"Teams are better," Strain said. "Even though some of the teams at the bottom of the standings don't have great records, they're still pretty decent teams. They're losing close games. Anyone can steal one from you. My focus every single series is to get four, but it's been hard to get four for anybody."