February 20, 2004

GRAND JUNCTION, Colorado - The Mesa State College Mavericks had played ten games before they matched up against UVSC Friday, and their game experience showed in a 22-3 win over the Wolverines. 

In their opening game, the Wolverines scored three runs on six hits and committed four errors. UVSC head coach Steve Gardner hoped for a better start but is confident in the team he has assembled for the 2004 campaign.

"We were inconsistent because we haven't had a chance to be outside," said Gardner, whose team has been practicing indoors since December. I know we will settle down and be fine." 

MSC first baseman, Kevin Mackey had a career night going 4-for-5 with 5 RBI, including a three run homerun in the bottom of the first inning to give MSC a 3-0 lead.

UVSC's Sam Van Dyken led the top of the second off with a single up the middle. Reno Mendenhall then walked. Shortstop Dylan Priest squared to bunt but was unable to execute. With two strikes, Priest rolled a groundball to the MSC shortstop, and the Mavericks turned a 6-4-3 double play. Van Dyken moved to third on the groundout. Freshman Ryan K. Jones then hit a ball down the left field line to drive in Van Dyken, but Jones was thrown out a second as he tried to stretch his RBI single into a double.

In the bottom half of the third inning MSC put for more runs on the board to take a 7-1 lead. UVSC cut the lead to 7-3 in the top half when Freshman Josh Hinckley singled to right and Van Dyken hit a bullet over the left field wall for a two-run homerun.

That is as close as the Wolverines would get. Over the next four innings the Mavericks scored 15 runs. In the seventh inning MSC went through three Wolverine pitchers on way to a nine run inning.

"I'm just glad it was the first game of the season and not the last," said Gardner. "We will compete tomorrow."

Jason Ward took the loss for the Wolverines. Ward gave up seven runs in four innings. Jared Ferrans improved to 3-0 on the season for the Mavericks. Ferrans went seven innings.

The Wolverines will face the Mavericks again Saturday in a doubleheader starting at 12:00 pm. The final game of the series will start at 12:00 pm on Sunday.