@NCBearsBaseball Picks Up Second-Straight Extra Innings Win

Saturday, May 13

Edinburg, Texas

5:00 pm

University of Northern Colorado

18-27, 7-13

UT Rio Grande Valley

25-25, 6-14

Northern Colorado

UT Rio Grande Valley

Photo by: Rob Trubia

5/13/2017 9:21:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

Northern Colorado baseball picked up its second straight extra innings win over UTRGV Saturday night 5-4.

By: Ryan Pfeifer, UNCBears.com

EDINBURG, Texas – For the second straight night, it took beyond nine innings for Northern Colorado (18-27, 7-13 WAC) and UT Rio Grande Valley (25-25, 6-14 WAC) to decide a winner in their game, as UNC took the contest in 10 innings 5-4. The win secures the series win for the Bears as well, their first since sweeping Sacramento State in mid-March.

How It Happened
After seeing starter Aaron Hamilton strand a pair of UTRGV runners in both the first and second, Northern Colorado's offense gave its starter some run support in the third. The rally began when Dean Lawson drew a leadoff walk. The Bears ended up with runners on the corner as Tyler Yamaguchi moved Lawson over on a sacrifice bunt and Nick Tanner singled.

Alex Kiel came up with the first big hit of the night when he hit a ball in the infield making it a tough choice for the defense and everyone was safe on the fielder's choice. Kiel and Tanner then ended up both in scoring position on a wild pitch before Cole Maltese walked to load the bases with two outs. Brett Minnick brought two of the three home with a two-RBI double to left field making it a 3-0 game.

Hamilton found himself in some trouble in the fourth, giving up a leadoff single and hit by pitch to end his evening. Reliever Keenan Lum came in and gave up the game tying three-run home run to Austin Siener.

Northern Colorado reclaimed the lead in the fifth. Maltese stuck out swinging, but reached on a passed ball for new life that would be key for the team. He advanced to second via steal, and last night's hero Evan Johnson cashed in another run for UNC with a single to left.

Corey Nakakura shut down UT Rio Grande Valley in the fifth and sixth sitting them down in order including three strike outs to keep it a 4-3 game. After he was lifted from the game, UTRGV evened the game at four in the seventh. A leadoff double by Anthony Gomez ended up coming around to score in the inning.

The Vaqueros had a shot to break the tie in the eighth with Joseph Collazo singling to start the inning. He stole second with no outs, but ended up stranded there as Jacob Howard worked out of the situation.

Just like last night, Northern Colorado came out attacking in extra innings. Cole Maltese walked on four straight pitches to start the 10th. Evan Johnson, last night's hero, came through with another big hit tonight doubling to right center putting runners on second and third with one out.

Head coach Carl Iwasaki pinch hit for Dan Reese in this situation brining up freshman Matt Burkart. The Eaton native worked back from an 0-2 whole, grounding back to the pitcher on a 2-2 pitch, but it was enough to score Maltese.

UTRGV put a runner on with a walk with one out in the 10th. Howard put UNC one out away from the win when he got a fly out to left. Catcher Alex Kiel ended the game with is third runner caught stealing of the game as he gunned down Nick Schranck to close the game.

Game Changer
Catcher Alex Kiel didn't record a hit in the game, but had a huge impact in the Bears win. The junior was 0-for-5 at the plate with a run scored and RBI, reaching on twice on fielder's choices, including an RBI on one. It was his work behind the dish that made the difference for Northern Colorado. He cut down three runners trying to steal a base, including ending the game with a strike to Billy Moreland to end it.

Notable
- Evan Johnson had another strong game again for UNC, going 2-for-4 with an RBI and double in the game. His double helped set up the game-winning run in the 10th.
- Nick Tanner and Dean Lawson also recorded two hits on the night for Northern Colorado. They each scored once as well.
- Cole Maltese was like teammate Alex Kiel, not recording a hit in the night but being a key factor in the win. He walked twice, scoring both times he drew a free pass, including being the game-winning run.
- Jacob Howard now has a win and a save on the weekend, picking up the save last night and win tonight. He went 3.0 innings allowing no runs on two hits, walking two and striking out one.
- Northern Colorado is now 3-2 in extra-inning games this season, and 8-5 in one-run games.

What's Next?
The Bears will look to compete the sweep on Mother's Day, UNC and UTRGV are set for an 11 am MT first pitch.