PUEBLO, Colo. – With an offense that produced 16 runs and a pitching staff that didn't allow any, perhaps Sunday was the first time No. 13 MSU Denver coach Ryan Strain could get a good night's sleep and not worry about his team.
 
Well, it was pretty close at least.
 
The Roadrunners cruised past CSU Pueblo 16-0 on Sunday as Cam Yuran slammed two homers to drive in seven runs and Jack Slominski turned in another terrific start with six shutout innings.
 
MSU Denver finished the weekend 3-1 while improving to 15-3 heading into next week's RMAC-opening showdown with perennial power Colorado Mesa.
 
"We're 15-3 and we'll take it," Strain said. "I think we should be 18-0, but that's who I am. My dad (assistant coach Joe Strain) tells me I don't enjoy many things."
 
Yuran blasted a grand slam during an 11-run third inning, then added a three-run shot in the seventh to come within one of tying the program single-game record of eight RBIs in a game.
 
Yuran, the 2022 RMAC Freshman of the Year, is batting .485 (33-for-68) with five homers, 21 RBIs, a .596 on-base percentage, a .794 slugging percentage and an OPS of 1.390. He's struck out five times all season (including once Sunday) while drawing 20 walks.
 
"He's just a very good baseball player," Strain said. "He's continuing to swing it a lot like last year, and even better."
 
Meanwhile Slominski (4-0) tacked on six scoreless, four-hit innings to the seven scoreless, three-hit innings he had in a complete-game win over Mary (N.D.) last Sunday.
 
After the ThunderWolves led off the game with a hit, their only other hit until the sixth was a third-inning bunt single.
 
"He was just as good as he was last week," Strain said. "He commanded all his pitches and kept it at the knees. He just didn't give them any hits, didn't walk anyone and we played good defense behind him."
 
MSU Denver banged out 16 more hits, as Tanner Garner was 3-for-6 and saw his average drop to .508, Cody Schultz was 2-for-4 with three RBIs, and Caleb Albaugh was 2-for-5 while driving in two.
 
Strain got the opportunity to get at-bats for some reserves, and Mason Sauter – pinch-hitting for Yuran – launched his first MSU Denver homer.
 
"I always want to those guys in," Strain said. "They're good kids, and good players, and they all work hard. Mason works his tail off and deserves a chance, but he's just got some really good outfielders (Yuran, Garner and Ross Smith) ahead of him right now. But he's got a chance to have a really good career here."