DENVER – MSU Denver coach Ryan Strain was looking to fill a hole in the Roadrunners' non-conference schedule, and he was able to upgrade into a challenging four-game weekend.
 
The Roadrunners are traveling to Pittsburg, Kan., for two games each against Sioux Falls (S.D.) and host Pittsburg State.
 
Sioux Falls has been steadily improving and is picked to finish eighth in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, while Pitt State is picked to finish second in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association behind traditional power Central Missouri.
 
Sioux Falls was 25-27 last year, including one win in a four-game series at MSU Denver, while Pitt State was 31-21 overall and 22-11 in the MIAA.
 
The Roadrunners had originally planned to play Fort Hays State (Kan.) this weekend, but that handshake agreement fell through when the Tigers changed coaching staffs after a four-win season. The upgraded competition this weekend could prove helpful for strength-of-schedule comparisons if MSU Denver is in the running for a second straight trip to the NCAA Division II Tournament at season's end.
 
"This turned out to be a better fit," Strain said. "Sioux Falls was already playing at Pitt State, and we appreciate them agreeing to having us come play there, too. Sioux Falls is coming off one of its better seasons, and (Pitt State coach) Bob Fornelli is a legend in Kansas college baseball.
 
"It'll be a good challenge. And it's four nine-inning games, so we'll stretch out our pitching staffs more."
 
Sioux Falls will be playing its season opener, while Pitt State is off to a 5-2 start that includes a 3-1 series win over Regis.
 
The Roadrunners play Sioux Falls at 11 a.m. MST Friday and Saturday, then play Pitt State at 2 p.m. MST Saturday and Sunday.
 
MSU Denver is off to a 6-1 start and has moved into the NCBWA Division II Top 25 poll at No. 23. The Roadrunners swept Northwestern Oklahoma State at home before winning three of four at Biola (Calif.).
 
"You'd always like to be 7-0, but I think we learned from the loss," Strain said. "We weren't ready to play. It was a 4-2 game that got out of hand (Biola scored eight in the eighth to win 12-2), but it got our guys' attention. The most important thing is how we responded."
 
MSU Denver responded with 39 runs while winning the final three games of the series.
 
The Roadrunners' high-powered offense is sixth in Division II in doubles per game (3.0) and 10^th in home runs (12).
 
Setting the table at the top of the order is second baseman Cody Schultz, who last weekend had six hits, drew six walks, stole four bases and scored eight runs. Schultz leads the RMAC in walks (eight) and stolen bases (four) and ranks second in runs (12).
 
"He's been doing a good job," Strain said. "What doesn't get noticed is that he sees lot of pitches, does a good job of working counts, like a typical leadoff hitter. Ever since we inserted him into the lineup last year, he's really allowed us to get things rolling ahead of the hitters we have behind him."
 
Outfielder Tanner Garner is also coming off a stellar series in which he batted .467 with two homers, six RBIs and two stolen bases.
 
"He's had injuries the past two offseasons, but he's ahead of where he was last year at this time," Strain said. "He really adds toughness to our lineup and obviously experience after playing in a regional and the (Division II) world series when he was at (Colorado) Mesa. He plays hard and with energy – he's full gas all the time."
 
Despite the prolific offense, MSU Denver's pitching staff hasn't been overshadowed much. The Roadrunners are 12^th in Division II with 11.3 strikeouts per nine innings.
 
Reichle Arcilise and Andrew Hayes have been the first two Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Pitchers of the Week this season.
 
"We thought going into the year that our bullpen would be a definite strength because we've got quite a few good arms down there, and we haven't had to overextend anyone even though we haven't had the best of starts a couple of times and have had to go to the bullpen earlier than you would like," Strain said. "I think we're unique in Division II baseball in that we have a bullpen – especially at this time of the year – that is a definite strength."