SHAWNEE, Okla – The Roadrunners gave up eight runs in the fifth inning to fall to Oklahoma Baptist 13-3 in the series opener on Friday. 
 
It was a 2-1 game heading into the bottom of the fifth before the wheels fell off for MSU Denver.
 
Starting pitcher Brad Helton had given up just two base hits in the first four innings. But the Bison used a throwing error and a wild pitch to score the first run in the inning. Then DJ Van Atten would double in two runs to make it 4-2 to end the day for Helton. 
 
Nick Vilims came in for the Roadrunners and couldn't record an out in two at bats. Michael Banderas soon came in and gave up three hits and a sacrifice fly that pushed the Bison's lead to 9-2. 
 
Noah Imboden came in for the final 1.2 innings of the game and gave up four earned runs on four hits while walking two. Oklahoma Baptist finished with 13 runs on 11 hits. 
 
The Roadrunners offense scattered five hits and scored three runs in the game. Gavin Schmeh's RBI single in the second gave his squad the early 1-0 lead.
 
It was 2-0 for MSU Denver after Royce Vandine doubled to left field scoring Andrew Graham from second base.
 
The third and final run came on a Joey Adge pinch hit solo home run in the sixth inning. The senior from Parker, Colorado is hitting .500 after four games this season and recorded his first round tripper on the season. 
 
MSU Denver will be back in action tomorrow afternoon, as they battle the Bison for a doubleheader starting at Noon mountain time.