GOLDEN, Colo. – Senior infielder Josh Rehwaldt had three hits and season-best five RBI but the University of Sioux Falls Baseball Team (0-6) dropped a heartbreaking, 13-11, decision to No. 25 Colorado Mines (9-2) in nonconference play at Jim Darden Field on Friday.
 
After USF had scored four runs in the top of the eighth inning, keyed by Rehwaldt's three-run double, CSM answered with a five-spot in the bottom of the ninth. CSM, which scored five runs on just two hits, picked up the win when Derek Daly hit a two-out grand slam off USF's Sean Nussbaum (0-1). USF had leads of 1-0, 2-1, 5-2 and 11-8 but were hurt by four errors.
 
The Cougars recorded a season-high 11 runs on 15 hits as Rehwaldt led the way. Named All-Region by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers in the preseason, Rehwaldt had six hits in 10 at bats in the series with five RBI. As a result, he is now hitting .429 with a .478 OBP and .571 slugging mark. With his three-run double in the eighth inning Rehwaldt took over as USF's career RBI leader in the program's DII era with 136 (Matt Minnick, 134, 2015-18). He also is the USF DII-program leader in hits with 217 (Matthew Minnick, 212, 2015-18).
 
USF also had three hits from shortstop Grant Lung, who added a pair of RBIs and runs scored as he lifted his average to .300. Freshman centerfielder Connor King had two hits, three runs scored and an RBI. Also for USF, rightfielder Kyle Gulbrandson had two hits and two RBI and moved his season average to .429. USF catcher Roy Nielsen had a pair of hits and a run scored and Ryan Meyer had a hit, two runs scored and an RBI.
 
Dan Johnson started for USF and worked two innings as he allowed two hits and one earned run. Keenahn Coyle allowed five earned runs on eight hits but recorded three strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings. Mitchell Lyall pitched 1/3 inning and Nussbaum took the loss after going 2 2/3 innings and giving up five runs on two hits with two strikeouts and two walks.
 
Gabe Garvens (3-0) picked up the win for CSM as he worked the final 3 2/3 innings and allowed eight hits and four earned runs with three strikeouts. Daly led the CSM offense with three hits, three runs scored and five RBI. Also for CSM, Joe Popp had two hits and three RBI.
 
Game Breakdown --
 
USF opened with a fast start as King doubled and scored on Rehwaldt's base hit through the right side. With the game tied at 1-1 in the fourth inning, Rehwaldt walked, stole second, and scored on Gulbrandson's run-scoring single to center field. Again CSM countered with a run to tie the game. In the fifth inning, Meyer and King scored on a two-run double by Grant Lung, who also came home when Rehwaldt had a run-scoring single.  But CSM scored three in the bottom of the fifth inning and forged another tie at 5-5. After USF took a 6-5 lead in the fifth, CSM plated three for an 8-6 lead through six innings. In the seventh inning, Ryan Bernardy singled with one out and stole second before scoring on Gulbrandson's base hit to left center to cut the lead to 8-7.
 
In the bottom of the eighth inning, Nielsen started a USF rally with an infield hit to third. Meyer reached on a fielder's choice as Nielsen advanced to third on the miscue. King delivered a run-scoring singled which brought in Nielsen. After Lung had a base hit, Rehwaldt delivered a three-run double as the Cougars took an 11-8 lead.
 
CSM answered in the bottom of the ninth with their five runs on two hits, which included by the game-winning grand slam by Daly.
 
Now, the Cougars will head to Florida for seven nonconference games, beginning with Grand Valley State in Kissimmee, Fla., on March 8. USF will open the NSIC portion of the schedule on March 16-17 with three games against U-Mary at the Birdcage (Sioux Falls Stadium). .