DENVER – On a weekend where MSU Denver scored 30 runs,
Colin Stone was looking to join in on the fun.
He did – in a big way – Sunday, launching a three-run, fifth-inning homer that extended the Roadrunners' lead from 5-4 to 8-4 in what eventually became an 11-6 win over Northwestern Oklahoma State to complete a three-game sweep at the Assembly Athletic Complex.
"I'm really happy for Stone, because he was scuffling a little bit, chasing some pitches, trying to do too much," MSU Denver coach
Ryan Strain said. "He finally got himself set and had a good swing. And that was huge. It changed the game, gave us a little breathing room."
It was the only hit of the series for Stone, who finished last season on fire and wound up hitting .383 and was 37
th in Division II with a .742 slugging percentage while earning All-South Central Region second team honors from the NCBWA.
"Just stay through the middle," Stone said of his approach on his fifth-inning at-bat. "I was in the (batting) cage this morning with Papa (assistant coach
Joe Strain) and I had a couple of dudes feeding me, and I was just trying to get my approach right. When you do, and when you get your pitch and hit it, good things happen."
Ross Smith and
Zach Schuler each hit a second homer of the series – Schuler finished the weekend 6-for-13 (.462 average) with three doubles and nine RBIs, while Smith was 6-for-12 (.500) with three doubles and four RBIs – and
Jake Williams had three hits to complete a .500 (7-for-14) weekend.
But some of the most spectacular stuff Sunday for MSU Denver came its pitching staff, and specifically the bullpen.
Stone was in perfect position to see that as the Roadrunners' catcher.
"Everyone has something different that they bring to the table," Stone said.
Andrew Hayes (1-0) was fantastic in 3 1/3 shutout relief innings, striking out six of the 11 batters he faced and allowing only one hit and no walks.
"We're together," Stone said. "I put a pitch down and he's all about it, and we tend to do pretty well together. He's got the 'dog' mentality out there. He'll blow it by you, or he can throw offspeed that you won't see."
Hayes had some great moments last season as well while bouncing between the starting rotation and long relief roles.
"If we just don't tell him he's pitching, he's been really good," Strain said, laughing. "He locates well, and what's gotten him in trouble in the past is that he's tried to expand (the strike zone) too much, and he gets behind in counts and has to come over the plate or walks guys.
But iIf he puts the ball on the corner, even if you swing, no one can really do anything with it. We're trying to get him on the plate a little bit more. He threw some really big innings today."
Things got a little sticky in the eighth, as Northwestern Oklahoma State crept within 10-6 and with two outs and brought the tying run at the plate with the bases loaded.
But Strain called upon
Reichle Arcilise, who struck out five of the six batters he faced in Friday's win, and Arcilise swiftly recorded another strikeout to squelch the rally.
"Reichle comes in there, gets one batter, and then just walks off like nothing happened," Stone said. "That's Reichle."
Said Strain: "If we can have our starters give us quality starts and Reichle can stay in the bullpen, it's devastating for other teams. At some point he'll probably end up starting, but it sure is nice to have that guy in the bullpen."
It's nice having all-region reliever
Eric Cox, the program's all-time saves leader, back there, too.
Cox pitched an easy ninth inning – allowing one hit – striking out two in a non-save situation.
"Ah, he's OK," Stone said.
MSU Denver now prepares four a four-game series at Biola (Calif.) next weekend. The Eagles won two of three in a season-opening series with Cal State San Marcos.
