DENVER – Jake Williams drives in two runs and Reichle Arcilise is the winning pitcher.
 
Just like old times again for MSU Denver, which welcomed back two critical players who were sidelined by injury for all (Williams) or the end (Arcilise) of the season last year.
 
They played starring roles in a season-opening 6-1 victory Friday over Northwestern Oklahoma State at the Assembly Athletic Complex.
 
"As good as we were last year, to not have Jake Williams all year and then have Reichle miss so much time down the stretch … I don't think people realize how good our roster really was," MSU Denver coach Ryan Strain said. "It's nice to have those two back and they played really well today."
 
Even without those two critical cogs, MSU Denver had an historic 2022 season, winning the RMAC Tournament title and reaching the NCAA Division II Tournament for the first time in program history.
 
With seven starting position players returning from one of the most powerful lineups in the country, it's an even bigger bonus that Williams – the cleanup hitter from the 2021 team that went 34-10 but didn't reach the postseason – can be plugged back into the mix, too.
 
"It was terrible, but I gained a different perspective," Williams said of missing last year. "I got to see it as a player, and as a coach. I grew as an individual and as a leader, and that helped heading into this year."
 
Arcilise pitched two scoreless innings of relief as he continues to build arm strength, and he looked like his old, slender self while striking out five of the six batters he faced.
 
"It sucked (not being able to finish last season), for sure," Arcilise said. "You watch your guys go and dominate and be amazing, and you're stuck at home. It's tough, but you battle back."
 
Arcilise is now 9-5 with a 3.37 ERA and 110 strikeouts in 82 2/3 innings as a Roadrunner.
 
"It's exciting to be back," Arcilise said. "It's been a while. I was a little nervous, and I had a few terrible bullpens this week. But they say if you have a bad bullpen, you'll have a good game."
 
Williams, who hit .369 with 16 homers and 47 RBIs in 40 games in 2021, got MSU Denver on the board with a two-out, opposite field RBI single in the first inning
 
"Jake's been itching to play for a while," Strain said. "For him to watch our team go to a regional when he would have been a big part of it … and then Reichle hasn't thrown in a game for 10 months. He's coming along nicely, and we're trying to be smart with him."
 
Zach Schuler put MSU Denver ahead to stay, breaking a 1-1 tie with a long two-run homer in the fourth that made it 3-1.
 
Williams drove in another run with an RBI double in the fourth inning, Cam Yuran had an RBI double in the fifth that scored Williams, and Ross Smith drew a bases-loaded walk in the sixth.
 
Yuran, an NCBWA Preseason All-America second team selection, went 3-for-4.
 
Division I transfer Carson Brown drew the start and allowed one run on three hits in four innings, then Arcilise dominated for his two innings before Division I transfer Brady McLean added two more scoreless innings and Tyler Schultz finished up.
 
The staff combined for 11 strikeouts while allowing only six hits.
 
"We've got a lot of depth, and we've got to see what these guys can do," Strain said. "Those four were pretty good, but we've got more guys who we think can go throw well this weekend."
 
The wait is over for Williams and Arcilise and the rest of the Roadrunners, who play Northwestern Oklahoma State again Saturday and Sunday at noon. It's full speed ahead now.
 
"It was just great to be back in front of the fans, with my team, and to play baseball again," Williams said.