BOXSCORE: Independent Championship Game One

EDINBURG, Texas - In the first game of the 2009 Independent Championship, the Northern Colorado baseball team tallied two eight-run innings to lift the Bears past the host Texas-Pan American Broncs, 18-5.

All nine starting hitters in the lineup tallied at least one hit as the Bears (17-33) had 18 runs on 18 hits and committed one error, while Texas-Pan American (11-41) scored five runs on 12 hits and had no errors. The Bears had seven doubles in the contest, giving them 20 over their last three games.

Senior designated hitter Kevin Sandberg went 3-for-4 in the game with three runs and one RBI with two walks. Five other players each had two hits, while senior Erik Hegstad led the way with four RBI.

Senior Brian Sizemore picked up his first win of the season in a great performance on the hill, allowing just five runs on 11 hits, walking three and striking out one in eight innings of work. Freshman Ty Jacobs threw the final frame, giving up just one hit in four batters faced.

"Everyone in the lineup saw the ball well today," said Head Coach Kevin Smallcomb. "Our starters were patient as we walked 14 times, but we were also aggressive when we needed to be with the 18 hits. Sizemore did a good job pitching. He finished batters and finished innings, just like we've been talking about all year."

The Bears scored two runs in the top of the first inning. With two outs, seniors Andy Mees and Sandberg drew back-to-back walks and both scored on a double by Hegstad.

In the top of the third, the Bears put a snowman on the board, thanks in part to five walks and a bases clearing double from Mees.

The Bears added another eight runs in the top of the sixth frame after the Broncs got on the board with one run in the bottom of the fifth. Junior Seth Budde and freshman Tony Crudo each singled to start the inning, freshman Adam Hilker drew a walk and a run scored when Tyler Borzileri was hit on the helmet by a pitch. Adrian Schenk doubled to score two more. With one out, Sandberg walked, and Hegstad doubled for another pair plated. In Budde's second at bat of the inning, he doubled to score two and Crudo doubled for the eighth run of the inning.

Texas-Pan American added one more in the bottom of the sixth and three in the bottom of the eighth for the 18-5 final.

Northern Colorado faces Houston Baptist on Friday. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. (Central)/2:00 p.m. (Mountain) and then finish the season on Saturday, playing Houston Baptist at 3:00 and Texas-Pan American at 7:00 p.m.