LAS VEGAS, N.M. – The MSU Denver offense hit the 20-run for the third time this season and the pitching staff overcame a tough first inning with solid relief work in a 20-12 victory Thursday at New Mexico Highlands.
 
Cody Schultz and Ross Smith each had three hits, Tanner Garner and Cam Yuran both homered, and Yuran drove in four runs as 30^th-ranked MSU Denver improved to 27-8 overall and 12-5 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.
 
"It's hard to get mad at the offense when they score 20 runs and have 20 hits," MSU Denver coach Ryan Strain said. "We had chances to score quite a few more runs, but we just weren't able to do it. Twenty runs is pretty dang good though."
 
MSU Denver scored six runs in the top of the first on RBI doubles by Smith and Yuran, a run-scoring single by Zach Schuler, an RBI double by Colin Stone, and a two-run single by Zach Paschke, who finished with three RBIs.
 
But New Mexico Highlands answered with seven runs in the bottom of the first to briefly regain the lead.
 
The MSU Denver offense didn't let up, though, scoring four in the second, one in the third and four in the fourth for a 13-7 advantage.
 
For the day the Roadrunners scored at leaste one run in every inning but the fifth and the ninth.
 
Gabe Austin (3-0) came on in relief and got the final two outs of the first inning before working two more scoreless frames, and Reese Lansville, Brady McLean and Tyler Schultz combined to pitch the final six innings, allowing a combined five runs.
 
"We didn't get off to a very good start with our starting pitcher, but the other guys came out of the bullpen and did a pretty nice job for the most part," Strain said. "They put up zeroes, or limited the damage, the rest of the way. We're going to need to pitch better tomorrow, though."
 
The series continues Friday with a doubleheader scheduled to start at noon.