#19 Northwest Nazarene 14, #12 Colorado Mesa 12
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – The Nighthawks (8-1-1) got off to a strong start in the opener of their series against Colorado Mesa, scoring all of their runs in the first four innings. In the 2nd, Cole Calnon drove in the first run after a bases loaded hit-by-pitch. A bases-loaded walk to Carter Walsh and a two-run single by Casey Wayne followed, before Kaleb Karpstein punctuated the inning with a three-run homer to give the Nighthawks a 7-0 lead. In the 3rd, NNU tacked on four more, keyed by a Manny Casillas hit a three-run blast to centerfield. Duke Pahukoa led off the 4th with a solo shot, and a batter later, back-to-back home runs by Kailer Saunders and Casillas made it 14-0.
Nighthawks starter Josh Brown cruised through three scoreless innings before running into trouble in the 4th, allowing seven runs before being relieved by Adam Brooks with one out and two men on. Brooks induced an inning-ending double play to escape the jam with the lead at 14-7. Colorado Mesa added three more in the 6th on a two-run double by Max Berni and an RBI single from Ethan Nunez to pull within four runs. In the 8th, Berni hit a two-run homer to make it a two-run game.
After a scoreless top of the 9th for the Nighthawks, closer Wade Duncan took over. The Mavericks got the tying run on base with two outs before Duncan secured the final out on a fly ball to earn the save. The teams meet again tomorrow for a doubleheader to continue the series.
- Win: Adam Brooks (1-0) 2IP, H, R, BB, K
- Loss: Liam Hohenstein (2-1) 2IP, 5H, 10R, 4BB, 1K
- Save: Wade Duncan (3) 1IP, 2H, 0R, 0BB, K
- Manny Casillas 3-4, 2 HR, 4 RBI
- Kailer Saunders 3-5, HR, 3R
- Kaleb Karpstein 1-5, 3-run HR
- Duke Pahukoa 1-5, solo HR
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