GOLDEN, COLO. – The University of Sioux Falls Baseball Team (0-10) hit a pair of home runs but dropped a 13-6 nonconference decision to Colorado School of Mines (13-5) on Wednesday at Jim Darden Field.

The Orediggers jumped to a 7-1 lead and extended the margin to 10-1 before USF rallied with five runs in the final three innings. However, the deficit was too large as the Cougars dropped their 10th straight game to open the season.

Now the Cougars return home to host Bemidji State in the NSIC home opener. USF will host a doubleheader on both March 17-18 at Sioux Falls Stadium. On  Saturday, March 17, the USF-BSU doubleheader will start at 1:30 p.m. USF-BSU's game on Sunday is set for noon.

USF had three players with two hits, including senior outfielder Rob Johnson, who had a two-run home run and also scored a pair of runs. The home run was Johnson's first of the season. Connor Merriam also hammered a home run, his third in two days. Senior Dylan Gavin also had a pair of hits and scored twice. Alex Robinson came off the bench and had a pair of hits, including a two-run double to score two runs in the ninth inning.

Freshman Payton Livingston (1-0) started and took the loss for USF. He allowed two hits and three runs in 1 1/3 innings. Livingston walked three hitters and with an error didn't allow any earned runs. Christian Lazar relieved Livingston and gave up five hits and four runs.  Also working off the mound for USF was Mitchell Lyall (1/3, no runs), Keenahn Coyle (1 1/3 innings, five hits, three runs, a strikeout) and Jackson Olson (2 2/3 innings, three hits, three runs).

Jake Englehart picked up the win for CSM to move to 1-0 on the season. He allowed just three hits and three runs in seven innings. Trevor Kehe led the CSM hitting attack with three hits and four RBI. Walter Pennington added three hits while Mikey Gandwish had four runs scored.