WICHITA, Kan. — The MSU Denver baseball team extended its dominant start to the 2026 season on Saturday, improving to 6-0 after a commanding doubleheader sweep of Newman University in Wichita, Kansas. The Roadrunners' offense exploded for 25 total runs across the two games, while the pitching staff delivered two masterful performances to dismantle the Jets.
GAME ONE (MSU Denver 16, Newman 1)
In the opening game of the doubleheader, the Roadrunners' offense reached double-digit runs for the fourth time this year, fueled by a relentless 15-hit attack. The team wasted no time, jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning and adding single runs in the second and third.
The game was effectively blown open in the fourth inning, where MSU Denver struck for five runs to take a 10-0 lead. They added late insurance with a combined six runs in the eighth and ninth innings to cap off the 16-1 rout.
Jared Swarbrick, Blake Wilson, and Noah Wicks were the catalysts for the blowout, combining to drive in eight of the team's 16 runs. Swarbrick finished 3-for-5 with three RBIs and two runs, while Wilson went 2-for-3 with three RBIs and two runs. Michael Deitz added a 3-for-4 performance, and Gavin Schmeh was perfect at reaching base, going 2-for-2 with two walks and an RBI. Lathan Buzard also provided a power surge, drilling his first home run of the season.
On the mound, Brayden McCollough (W, 2-0) was virtually untouchable. McCollough carried a perfect game into the sixth inning and finished his six-inning outing allowing just one run on two hits while striking out a staggering 11 batters.
GAME TWO (MSU Denver 9, Newman 2)
The second contest followed a similar script of high-powered offense paired with elite pitching. Sam Coffman (W, 2-0) delivered a gem for the Roadrunners, tossing five innings and surrendering only one run on two hits while striking out four.
MSU Denver's scoring was ignited by Erubiel Ortiz, who launched a two-run shot in the third inning for his first home run of the year; he finished the game 2-for-4 with two walks. The Roadrunners added another run in the fourth before Lathan Buzard continued his big day at the plate, hitting his second home run of the afternoon.
The turning point that put the game out of reach was a four-run seventh inning, which extended the MSU Denver lead to 7-1. During this rally, the Roadrunners capitalized on Newman's defensive miscues and timely hitting to secure the victory. The team added two final insurance runs in the eighth to finish with a 9-2 win.
MSU Denver will look to finish the series sweep tomorrow in Wichita, with first pitch scheduled for 11 a.m. MT.
