The Colorado Mesa Mavericks season came to an end Saturday with an 8-6 loss to Angelo State in the NCAA South Central Regional Tournament at Suplizio Field.

For the second time in three games, a Maverick starting pitcher failed to get out of the second inning as the Mavs fell behind 7-1 early - and were forced to play catch up all afternoon. Trailing 8-4 in the 9th inning, the Mavs brought the tying run to the plate in Austin Wallingford, the South Central Region Player of the Year, and the Mavericks' leading home run hitter. However,  Wallingford's bid to tie the game came up just short when his deep fly ball to left center field was caught on the warning track.

The Maverick bullpen was outstanding in the two regional losses, surrendering just one run in 14 innings.

CMU senior catcher, Austin Wallingford (pictured),  and  centerfielder James Young III were both named to the all-tournament team.

The Mavericks, who spent several weeks this season ranked #1 in the nation, finish the season at 48-9, after making their seventh straight appearance in the NCAA tournament.

Angelo State went on to win the tournament with a 5-2 win over St. Mary's  in the championship game, and earned a berth in the NCAA Division II World Series beginning next weekend in Cary, North Carolina.

 

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