DENVER – Maybe it wasn't the storybook, bases-loaded-strikeout kind of a save – blame the relentless MSU Denver offense for that – but Eric Cox came through in a clutch situation as usual Thursday, and went on to tie the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference's all-time record for saves in the 13^th-ranked Roadrunners' 13-6 victory over Regis.
 
"When he goes to the mound in a close game in the eighth or ninth, we just say, 'This game is over,'" MSU Denver outfielder Ross Smith said. "It's just another tool for us that helps take the pressure off."
 
Cox came into the game to protect an 8-6 lead in the top of the eighth, with two runners on base and Matt Marlow at the plate representing the go-ahead run.
 
"You always feel good about that," MSU Denver coach Ryan Strain said. "You want to get him in those situations. We were in a tight game – a two-run game with a really good hitter up as the go-ahead run."
 
Said Cox: "I was happy I was facing a righty and not a lefty. I could throw the slider to him front side or away. Marlow is a great hitter, and has been since he got to our league, but I felt good."
 
Cox got Marlow on a ground out to third base, then was able to take some time off as MSU Denver tacked on five insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth.
 
"I went down to the bullpen and threw a little bit more, then I came back out for the ninth," Cox said.
 
The save, Cox's fourth of the season, gives him 23 for his career to tie the league mark set by eventual major leaguer Nate Field of former RMAC member Fort Hays State (Kan.) in 1996-97. Cox is Division II's active leader in the category.
 
"It doesn't happen without the coaching staff, the offense and the pitching staff that we have," Cox said. "I've played with phenomenal guys throughout my career, and these guys are no exception. It's awesome being surrounded by this group and how good everyone is. … Wins happen with a good team like we have."
 
Said Strain: "I'm proud of him. He works his tail off. He's been really good for us in big situations. He's got a lot of confidence and he has the perfect mentality for those situations."
 
Regis had tied Thursday's game 5-5 with a two-run homer in the top of the sixth. But, with arguably the best offense in Division II, MSU Denver had more than enough firepower.
 
"When it's that close of a ballgame, in our minds it's not that close of a ballgame," Smith said. "Because eventually we're going to start raking."
 
Smith answered with a three-run shot – his fifth homer of the season – in the bottom of the sixth to put MSU Denver (13-2) ahead to stay.
 
"I knew they were going to attack me with fastballs, and that's what they did," Smith said. "I didn't want to be late, and I kept fouling it off. But he also has a slider that comes off the fastball, and I saw it and it looked like a beach ball."
 
Said Strain: "Any time he gets in there, if he gets barrel to ball, with his bat speed and strength, the ball just goes forever."
 
In the bottom of the eighth, Jake Williams' RBI single gave the Roadrunners some breathing room at 9-6, and then Smith scored on a passed ball. Division II RBI leader Zach Schuler got his second of the day with a run-scoring single, and a two-run homer by Tanner Garner made it 13-6.
 
"To have those really good at-bats, when we really needed them in the bottom of the eighth to distance ourselves and put it out of reach, was big," Strain said.
 
Starting pitcher Carson Brown was solid, especially after the Roadrunners took a 4-3 lead on Colin Stone's second-inning grand slam, and allowed three runs (all unearned) in four innings. Reese Lansville (2-0) got the win after allowing two runs in two innings, and Brady McLean allowed one run (unearned) in 1 2/3 innings to get the ball to Cox.
 
At the plate, Cam Yuran was 4-for-5, and Smith and Caleb Albaugh each had three hits. Garner bumped his average up to .556 with a 2-for-3 day, while Yuran gained ground on him and is now at .509.
 
The national leader in hits while ranking second in runs, MSU Denver had 13 runs on 18 hits Thursday.
 
"It didn't seem like we were having a very good day offensively, and I was kind of frustrated, but then you look over at the end there's 13 runs and 18 hits on the board," Strain said. "That's what they can do when they get it going."
 
MSU Denver plays host to Colorado Christian in an 11 a.m. game Friday at the Assembly Athletic Complex.