DENVER — MSU Denver baseball capped off a perfect opening weekend with a 12–5 victory over Missouri Western on Sunday afternoon at home, completing a three-game sweep to begin the 2026 season at 3–0.
The Roadrunners once again put together a complete offensive performance, scoring in six different innings while backing a strong outing on the mound.
Missouri Western struck first with a two-run double in the top of the first, but MSU Denver answered immediately. A sacrifice fly and an RBI single from Noah Wicks tied the game at 2–2 in the bottom half.
The Griffons briefly regained the lead with two runs in the third, but the Roadrunners continued to chip away. Wicks added another sacrifice fly in the third to make it a one-run game before MSU Denver took control in the fourth, drawing back-to-back bases-loaded walks to go ahead 5–4.
The turning point came in the sixth inning as the Roadrunners broke the game open with a four-run frame. A passed ball, a hit by pitch with the bases loaded, and a two-RBI double from Lathan Buzard pushed the lead to 9–5. MSU Denver added three more insurance runs in the eighth, highlighted by an RBI single from Alek Martinez and another hit by pitch with the bases loaded, sealing the sweep.
Senior left-hander Nolan Livsey earned the win in his first start of the season, tossing five quality innings while allowing four runs on four hits with three strikeouts. He was followed by a steady bullpen effort, as five relievers combined to allow just one unearned run over the final four innings.
Offensively, the Roadrunners continued their torrid start, finishing the series with 36 runs and double-digit scoring efforts in all three games. MSU Denver drew 10 walks and was hit by five pitches on Sunday, pairing patience with timely hitting.
Marques Abulhosn and Brooks Rasmussen set the tone at the top of the lineup, as Abulhosn went 2-for-5 with a run scored, while Rasmussen reached base five times, going 2-for-3 with three runs, an RBI, two walks, and a hit by pitch.
Erubiel Ortiz added another strong all-around day, finishing 1-for-3 with two runs, an RBI, a walk, and two hit-by-pitches. Buzard made an impact in his season debut, driving in two runs with his sixth-inning double, while Gavin Schmeh continued his hot weekend with two more hits and a walk.
With the sweep, MSU Denver opens the season 3–0 and carries momentum forward after a dominant opening series. They will the road this upcoming weekend to play Newman.
