GOLDEN, Colo. — MSU Denver kept its momentum rolling Saturday, sweeping Colorado School of Mines in a doubleheader to improve to 19-6 overall and a perfect 7-0 in RMAC play, using both an offensive explosion and late-game execution to get it done.
GAME ONE: MSU Denver 17, Colorado School of Mines 3
MSU Denver came out swinging and never let up, jumping ahead in the first inning when Jared Swarbrick crushed a two-run homer before Luka Ruljancich added an RBI single to make it 3-0. After Mines answered with a run, the Roadrunners delivered the knockout punch in the third inning. Brayden Oram and Marques Abulhosn each drove in runs, River Jackson followed with an RBI single, and Royce Vandine blew the game wide open with a grand slam to make it 10-1.
The offense kept rolling from there, with Oram driving in more runs, Ruljancich adding extra-base hits, and MSU Denver piling up a season-high 22 hits and 17 runs in a dominant showing where six different players scored multiple times.
Oram led the way with a perfect 4-for-4 performance, four RBIs, three runs, and a walk, while Vandine finished 2-for-4 with a grand slam and four RBIs. Jackson set the tone at the top of the lineup, going 3-for-5 with two runs and an RBI, and Swarbrick added three hits, two runs, and two RBIs. Blake Wilson also had a big day, going 3-for-5 with four runs scored, an RBI, and a stolen base.
On the mound, Alejandro Maltos-Garcia (2-1) earned the win, going five innings while allowing three runs and striking out six.
GAME TWO: MSU Denver 4, Colorado School of Mines 3
Game Two was much tighter, but MSU Denver delivered when it mattered most. River Jackson got things started again with a solo home run in the first inning, and later added an RBI single in the third to give the Roadrunners a 2-1 lead. Mines fought back to tie it, setting up a decisive seventh inning.
Capitalizing on mistakes, MSU Denver broke through late as Luka Ruljancich came around to score, Marques Abulhosn delivered an RBI double, and Jackson came through again with the go-ahead RBI single to give the Roadrunners a 4-2 advantage.
Jackson was the difference-maker, going 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs, including the game-winning hit. Alek Martinez and Brooks Rasmussen each went 2-for-3, helping provide consistent offense throughout.
On the mound, Sam Coffman gave MSU Denver a strong start, allowing just two runs over five innings, before Carter Swan (3-1) shut the door late, tossing two innings and allowing just one run while striking out three to earn the win.
With the doubleheader sweep, the Roadrunners extended their winning streak and remained unbeaten in RMAC play, heading into Sunday's series finale with a chance to complete the sweep.
