DENVER — MSU Denver needed extra innings Friday night, but the Roadrunners found a way to keep both their winning streak and perfect conference record intact by taking down the Colorado Christian Cougars by a score of 4-3 in 10 innings.
Locked in a tight battle at the Assembly Athletic Complex, MSU Denver walked it off to improve to 29-6 overall and a perfect 17-0 in RMAC play, extending its winning streak to 15 games.
The Roadrunners struck first in the opening frame when Noah Wicks continued his hot stretch at the plate, delivering an RBI single to score Marques Abulhosn and give MSU Denver a 1-0 lead.
After Colorado Christian answered with a three-run third inning to take a 3-1 lead, MSU Denver chipped away late. Michael Deitz sparked the comeback in the sixth, launching his team-leading ninth home run of the season to cut the deficit to 3-2. Moments later, the Roadrunners capitalized on a defensive miscue, as Alek Martinez reached on an error that allowed the tying run to score and even things at 3-3.
From there, it turned into a pitcher's duel. Jake Syverson was dominant on the mound, tossing nine innings while allowing just three runs on six hits and striking out 11 to keep MSU Denver within striking distance.
In the 10th, the Roadrunners finally broke through. Deitz worked a leadoff walk before Wicks was hit by a pitch, setting the table. After a sacrifice bunt and an intentional walk loaded the bases, Martinez delivered the game-winning moment, drawing a walk to force in the winning run and seal the 4-3 victory.
Carter Swan (5-1) earned the win out of the bullpen after a scoreless inning with two strikeouts, while Dylan Novotny (0-1) took the loss for Colorado Christian.
At the plate, Wicks led the way with a 3-for-4 performance, adding a run and an RBI as he continues his torrid stretch. Martinez finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs, including the walk-off walk, while Deitz went 1-for-3 with two runs scored, an RBI, a walk, and the pivotal home run.
With the win, MSU Denver remains unbeaten in RMAC play and continues to build momentum as one of the conference's top teams with a doubleheader tomorrow against Colorado Christian.
