Chris Shea allowed one earned run and struck out three in seven innings, helping to lead Mesa State to an 8-2 win over Wayne State on Sunday in Grand Junction to send the Mavericks to the NCAA Division II World Series.
Kevin Becker, Mike Provencher and Craig Lanzarotta each hit a home run for the Mavericks, who scored five runs in the third inning.
The Mavericks went 4-0 in the Central Regional, scoring 54 runs in those games. Mesa State shortstop Matt Bodenchuk, who had eight RBIs in the tournament, was named the tournament’s most outstanding player.
This will be Mesa State’s first appearance in the World Series, which will be held May 23-30 in Cary, N.C.
CU’s Barringer sets Big 12 steeplechase record.
The University of Colorado’s Jenny Barringer won the 3,000-meter steeplechase, setting a meet record by running the race in 9 minutes, 58.14 seconds at the Big 12 track and field championship in Lubbock, Texas.
In winning her second outdoor conference title, Barringer shaved more than 10 seconds off Oklahoma State’s Mary Davies’ 2006 Big 12 outdoor mark of 10:09.42.
“I kept looking back and didn’t think I sprinted out too hard,” Barringer said. “But I expected people to go with me a little more so I’d have some company. It was a good, comfortable, clean race, and that’s what I really wanted.”
Sky Sox fall to Royals.
Alan Johnson allowed six runs in five innings and lost for the first time this season as the host Colorado Springs Sky Sox lost 11-5 to the Omaha Royals.
Daniel Ortmeier led the Sky Sox with two RBIs.
Johnson (4-1) gave up two home runs, including a grand slam by Tug Hulett in the second inning. Johnson has given up 22 runs in his last three starts.
