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Boulder Collegians relish first week of season

Baseball is in full swing once again and the Boulder Collegians wrapped up their first week of play against the Gameday Saints. Boulder has had limited practice time due to coronavirus restrictions and Collegians' first-year manager and last season's pitching coach Mark Goodman was excited to finally hit the diamond.

"I'm just happy that we have baseball we're able to play," Goodman said. "It's too early to figure out what's going on with who, but just being in the dugout with the boys is exciting for everyone. That's just the happiest thing right now, (is) being able to get out there."

Boulder opened its season with a scrimmage on June 1 and the Collegians found themselves up 3-1 midway through the game at Double Angel Field in Parker. The Collegians had a sharp eye at the plate and scored twice on bases-loaded walks and again with some small ball. Unfortunately, their success was short-lived. Goodman's squad would tally just two hits in the game and his pitching and defense would falter late. Collegians' hurlers struggled to throw strikes and the defense committed a myriad of miscues to give Gameday an 11-4 victory.

After Monday, Collegians' General Manager Matt Jensen said he believed Boulder's arms could still be a bright spot in 2020. Goodman notes that his pitchers may not blow anyone away, but should keep them in games. With a renewed mindset and an ironed out defense, the Collegians were hopeful to keep Saturday's contest closer.

Saturday's rematch was the Rocky Mountain Baseball League opener for both squads and was held at the Collegians' new temporary field, Big Foot Turf Farm in Kersey.

After falling behind 1-0 in the top of the third inning, Boulder's offense erupted for four runs in the bottom of the inning. Former Longmont High School player Brady Renck impressed with two hits and two RBI's, leading Boulder to a 5-2 lead entering the seventh and final inning.

Gameday fought back with two runs of their own and had the tying run on second base and the winning run on first base with one out. The few socially-distanced fans in attendance were on the edge of their seats when Collegians right fielder Luca Dincola made a diving play in the outfield and doubled up the runner on second to end the ballgame (listen here).

Returning Collegian and Boulder High School product Isaac Parks got the save and the memorable finish secured Goodman's first victory as Collegians manager.

"It feels great," Goodman said. "It's my fourth year with them (Boulder) now and it feels just as good every year, and it feels even better with my name on the lineup card."

The two teams had planned a doubleheader but the second game lasted just three innings before high winds and rain forced a postponement.

Moving forward, Goodman looks to push his young team forward and get them back into their accustomed baseball lifestyle. He said "getting back in the groove and loosening up and becoming more comfortable" will be important, along with embracing the baseball grind.

"Once the guys get back into routine I think after this week, and a routine starts to happen, they're going to fall right back to where they were in the spring," Goodman said.

After scheduled games in Colorado Springs on June 8 against the Denver Cougars and a doubleheader on June 9 against the Colorado Springs Outlaws, the Collegians will return to Kersey to face the Outlaws again on June 12.

The Collegians will be offering a free audio stream of future games, which you can listen to here.

 

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