DENVER – The MSU Denver Roadrunners baseball team split its Friday doubleheader with the University of Mary Marauders, taking the opener before falling in game two at the Assembly Athletic Complex.
MSU Denver now sits 14-6 overall and 4-0 in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play after the twin bill.
Game One: MSU Denver 5, Mary 3
The Roadrunners used an explosive second inning and a dominant pitching performance to secure a 5-3 victory in the opener.
MSU Denver broke through in the bottom of the second inning when Blake Wilson roped an RBI double to give the Roadrunners the early lead. Moments later, Jared Swarbrick delivered a two-run double to center field that extended the advantage to 3-0.
After Noah Wicks reached base with a walk, Lathen Buzard followed with a ground-rule RBI double to push the lead to 4-0 and cap the four-run frame.
Mary answered with three runs in the fourth inning to cut the deficit to one, but the Roadrunners created breathing room in the seventh when Alek Martinez lifted a sacrifice fly that brought home Wicks to make it 5-3.
On the mound, Jake Syverson delivered one of the best outings by a Roadrunner in recent seasons. The right-hander tossed 8.2 innings, striking out seven while allowing just three runs on eight hits to earn the win and improve to 3-0 on the season. The outing marked the longest start by an MSU Denver pitcher since the 2022 season.
With two runners aboard in the ninth, Carter Swan entered to record the final out and secure his third save of the season.
At the plate, Buzard led the offense with a perfect 3-for-3 performance with an RBI and a walk, while Swarbrick went 2-for-4 with two RBIs, a run scored and a walk.
The victory marked MSU Denver's fifth consecutive win.
Game Two: Mary 11, MSU Denver 6
The Roadrunners jumped out to an early lead in the second game, but Mary rallied late to earn an 11-6 win and salvage a split.
MSU Denver struck first in the opening inning when Wicks lined a double that brought home the tying run to make it 1-1. Shortly after, Martinez delivered a two-RBI double to give the Roadrunners a 3-1 advantage.
The offense continued to apply pressure in the second inning when an errant throw on a sacrifice bunt by Marques Abulhosn allowed MSU Denver to take a 4-3 lead.
Swarbrick added to the lead with an RBI single, and Brooks Rasmussen followed with an RBI base hit in the third to stretch the advantage to 6-3.
Despite the early cushion, Mary rallied in the later innings to take control of the game and secure the 11-6 victory.
The Roadrunners and Marauders will return to Assembly Athletic Complex on Saturday to conclude the four-game series with another doubleheader beginning at Noon.
