DENVER – Disappointed in his team's competitive level after splitting a doubleheader Sunday, MSU Denver coach Ryan Strain sent his players video of Hall of Famer Pete Rose's all-out efforts.
 
And, lo and behold, leadoff hitter Andrew Biddle showed up Monday as Charlie Hustle reincarnate, single-handedly igniting the offense – particularly in the second game of that doubleheader, when he had three hits and scored four of the Roadrunners' six runs to complete a sweep of UCCS.
 
Biddle turned singles into doubles with speed and hustle, picked up extra bases when throws from the outfield weren't cut off, advanced when throws and pitches got away, stole bases and seemingly did everything but blow up Ray Fosse in a collision at home plate in the 1970 All-Star Game (that was the clip Strain sent out).
 
"We kind of go as he goes," Strain said. "That's how it is with most leadoff hitters. In the game we played well against (Colorado) Mesa (the previous week), he went off and did some good stuff on the bases. … We've talked about playing hard, using our speed, and impacting the game in different ways. He definitely gave us a spark."
 
Strain and the Roadrunners hope that spark turns into a flame this weekend in a big four-game series against cross-downtown rival Regis at the Assembly Athletic Complex. The series is scheduled for single games Friday (6 p.m.) and Sunday (1 p.m.) that sandwich a 3 p.m. doubleheader on Saturday.
 
Saturday is Military Appreciation Day, and the Roadrunners will wear special U.S. Army-themed jerseys that include a shoulder patch honoring the 4^th Infantry Division based at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, Colo.
 
On Sunday, the Roadrunners are scheduled to wear their throwback, baby-blue jerseys.
 
MSU Denver is hoping to play as well as it looks as it kicks off what could be a crucial eight-game stretch against league contenders.
 
The Roadrunners are 13-13 overall and 4-4 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, while Regis is 12-9-1 and 3-1 and CSU Pueblo – next week's opponent – is 16-8 and 5-3.
 
"We had success against these teams last year (going 3-1 against Regis and 4-0 against CSU Pueblo in regular-season play), and that was a big stretch for us," Strain said. "We want to be in that range again."
 
Regis has been impressive this season, going 2-1-1 against a Westmont (Calif.) team that is receiving votes in the NCBWA's Top 25 poll, going 1-3 (and losing two one-run games) against 18-8 Pittsburg State (Kan.), splitting a four-game series with current No. 20 Augustana (S.D.), and splitting a two-game set with then-No. 22 Lubbock Christian (Texas).
 
"They've had a solid season," Strain said. "They've got a lot of new guys, so we don't know for sure what to expect from them. But they always play us hard, and they'll be into it."
 
While Regis has played only two games since March 10 – and played only once each on Friday and Saturday – MSU Denver is coming off a four-game series played Sunday and Monday.
 
The Roadrunners are also dealing with multiple nagging injuries while trying to get healthy.
 
"This is a quick turnaround for us and we're pretty banged up – even the guys who are playing have injuries," Strain said. "But we'll do what we can do to be ready to go on Friday."