Taylor Hamilton got out of an eighth-inning, bases-loaded jam with three straight outs and worked a trouble-free ninth to lead Mesa State to a 4-3 win over Augustana (S.D.) Friday in a must-win game at the NCAA Division II Central Region in St. Cloud, Minn.
The Mavericks took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the first on a two-RBI single by shortstop Ken Evanson, and led 3-2 after six innings.
Jeff Popick and Brian Bello hit back-to-back doubles in the eighth to give Mesa a 4-2 lead. Mavericks starter Ian Snell got in trouble in the bottom of the frame, giving up a run after hitting a batter with the bases loaded, then Hamilton’s work earned him a save and Snell (7-4) the win.
Greg Anderson continued his hot hitting in the tournament, going 3-for-5 with a double and a RBI.
The Mavericks will face the winner of Nebraska- Kearney and Winona State in today’s third round. The game times for the third round of the tournament will start 30 minutes after the final game of the second round, which was moved to today after rain halted play.
Mudbugs takes 3-2 series lead.
The Colorado Eagles fell to Bossier-Shreveport 7-2 in Game 5 of the Central Hockey League’s Presidents’ Cup Finals in Bossier City, La. A.J. Hau and Dan Sullivan scored the only goals for the Eagles.
With the win the Mudbugs take a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven and will look to close out the series Wednesday in Loveland.
Balboa named executive of Trebol Soccer Club.
Former Rapids star Marcelo Balboa has joined the Trebol Soccer Club as executive director. Located in Boulder County, Trebol provides club soccer opportunities in the north Denver/Boulder County region for boys and girls ages 8-18.
Trebol president Jerry Wager said that he is excited about Balboa and his hands-on approach as a leader, motivator and champion of young people.
Balboa will continue his service on the Colorado Youth Soccer board of directors and the United States Soccer Federation Athletes Board, as well as his soccer broadcasts on radio and television.
In addition to 12 years on the U.S. national team and six seasons with the Rapids, Balboa is in the National Soccer Hall of Fame and was twice named U.S. Soccer athlete of the year.
