BOXSCORE: Texas-Pan American

GREELEY, Colo. - With the wind blowing out to center, both baseball coaches knew before today's game started it was likely to be a high-scoring affair after the other three games in the series and the teams did not disappoint as Northern Colorado defeated Texas-Pan American, 25-18 in the four-game series finale.

Senior Kevin Sandberg had a banner day, going 4-for-5 at the plate with three home runs and nine RBI and picked up the save, throwing two scoreless innings for the fifth of his career. Sandberg hit a solo shot in the second inning to put the Bears on the scoreboard, hit the first grand slam of his career in the third and hit a two-run homer in the eighth. His nine RBI is one shy of his school record of 10 from last season against Metro State and with his third round-tripper he tied the school's single season record with 20.

"Kevin did a little of everything for us today," said Head Coach Kevin Smallcomb. "They pitched him inside on the first home run so we talked to him about how in his next at bat they would stay outside and how he could take it to right-center. That's exactly what he did. It's been a pleasure to coach him over the last four years. He also got the save on the mound, getting them to hit into two big double plays."

Freshman Tony Crudo also had the biggest game of his career, going 4-for-6 at the plate with two home runs, four RBI and four runs scored. Sophomore T.J. Berge was also just a home run shy of the cycle, going 3-for-5 with three runs and two RBI, hitting a single, double and triple.

"Like I said yesterday," said Smallcomb. "Offense hasn't been an issue for us most of the season. We closed out our home season on a high note and hopefully we can continue the power in Texas."

Northern Colorado scored its 25 runs on 19 hits and tallied no errors while Texas-Pan American scored 18 runs on 23 hits and had one error.

Junior Jeff Sciba started for the Bears on the hill, allowing seven runs on nine hits with one walk and one strikeout in 4.1 innings. Freshmen Nate Steinmetz and Cameron Tallman each threw 1.1 frames with Tallman getting the victory for his second of the year. Joe Willman faced three batters and Sandberg threw the final two frames. The Broncs got just two hits with one walk against him.

Texas-Pan American scored two in the top of the first inning, including a leadoff home run by Bonham Hough. In the bottom of the second, the Bears got one back on a long home run by senior Kevin Sandberg.

In his next at bat in the bottom of the third, Sandberg hit a ball over the right-center wall just to the right of the scoreboard for his 19^th home run of the year and the first grand slam of his career. Freshman shortstop Adam Hilker doubled to center with one out and both junior centerfielder Tyler Borzileri and senior first baseman Andy Mees walked to load the bases ahead of Sandberg.

UTPA closed the gap to two runs with one in the top of the fourth, making the score 5-3. The Bears immediately answered. Junior catcher Seth Budde drew a walk to start the frame and scored on a triple to deep right center by sophomore second baseman T.J. Berge. Freshman third baseman Tony Crudo followed up with a double off the right centerfield wall scoring Berge. Hilker was hit by a pitch, Borzileri walked to load the bases and Crudo scored on a sacrifice fly by freshman right fielder Adrian Schenk.

The Broncs scored four runs in the top of the fifth and the Bears mirrored that with four of their own for the 12-7 tally.

In the top of the sixth, UTPA knotted the score at 12 all, scoring five runs on five hits. With one out, Budde was hit by a pitch, Berge and Crudo both singled and Hilker tripled. Borzileri was hit by a pitch, Schenk singled, Mees walked and Sandberg singled to give the Bears seven runs in the sixth and put them back on top 19-12.

UTPA again scored four runs in the top of the seventh to close within three, 19-16. In the bottom half the Bears got one back on a home run by Crudo that cleared the centerfield wall. The Broncs tallied two more in the top of the eighth and the scoreboard read 20-18.

With Mees on first, Sandberg ripped his third home run of the day, a ball that was a no-doubter as the outfielders didn't even move when the ball left the bat. Hegstad followed with a single, Budde tripled and Berge hit a sacrifice fly to center. Crudo then hit his second straight home run for a 25-18 advantage and the final tally.

Northern Colorado takes next week off from competition, returning to the diamond at Texas-Pan American in the Independent Championship. The schedule is yet to be determined as they figure out which teams are competing.