Skip Links

    RED logo Colorado news and culture from MSU Denver
    Subscribe Now
    Contact Us
    • Arts and Culture
    • Aviation and Aerospace
    • Business and Economics
    • Climate and Environment
    • Cybersecurity
    • Education
    • Food and Hospitality
    • Health
    • Lifestyle
    • Politics
    • Science and Technology
    • Social Justice
    • Sports
    • University News
    Find an Expert View All Stories
    • All Stories
    • Video
    • Photo
    • Find an Expert
    • About RED
    • Media Resources
    • RED Magazine
    Subscribe Now
    Contact Us
    • All Stories
    • Video
    • Photo
    • Find an Expert
    • About RED
    • Media Resources
    • RED Magazine
    Find an Expert View All Stories
    MSU Denver baseball earns first-ever bid to NCAA tourney
    The MSU Denver baseball team celebrates after beating Colorado Mesa in the RMAC championship May 14, 2022. Photo by Courtney Thompson

    Rob White

    May 17, 2022

    Sports

    MSU Denver baseball earns first-ever bid to NCAA tourney

    Roadrunners upset Colorado Mesa in RMAC championship to secure automatic berth.

    Rob White

    May 17, 2022

    MSU Denver baseball earns first-ever bid to NCAA tourney
    The MSU Denver baseball team celebrates after beating Colorado Mesa in the RMAC championship May 14, 2022. Photo by Courtney Thompson

    The NCAA Division II baseball selection show was only a few minutes old, and there was no doubt that MSU Denver had qualified for the tournament as the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament champion.

    But when “MSU Denver” was listed on the televised bracket, there was nevertheless a huge roar at Sunday’s team watch party.

    That’s what happens when players — some of them four years into the program — finally achieve what has long been the program’s goal.

    “To see it, it was kind of nuts,” MSU Denver second baseman Cody Schultz said. “We’re going to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history. We’re the team that (coach Ryan) Strain said we were going to be.”

    MSU Denver (35-20) has earned the No. 5 seed for the South Central Regional and will play an opening-round game Thursday against fourth-seeded Texas A&M-Kingsville (31-18) in San Angelo, Texas. Those teams are two of three teams in a regional pod that includes top-seeded tournament host Angelo State (45-10).

    Baseball team celebrates
    Freshman Cam Yuran, 27, is cheered by teammates after hitting a homerun in the RMAC championship game May 14, 2022. Photo by Lauren Montez

    The Roadrunners earned the RMAC’s automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament’s six-team South Central Regional after beating Colorado Mesa in the RMAC Conference Tournament championship on Saturday.

    Early homers by Zach Schuler and Cam Yuran helped MSU Denver forge a 5-5 tie through five innings, then the Roadrunners took advantage of a couple of fielding misplays and got an RBI single from Yuran in the seventh to build an 8-5 lead over nationally ranked Colorado Mesa in Saturday’s championship game.

    Finally, closer Eric Cox made the lead stand with his third two-inning save in four days as the Roadrunners took down the tournament’s top-seeded host.

    Pitcher Conner Nantkes
    MSU Denver pitcher Conner Nantkes earned the win in the RMAC championship May 14, 2022. Photo by Courtney Thomspon

    “I told our guys that to be honest, and not to be over-dramatic, besides my kids being born and my wedding, this is the happiest day of my life,” MSU Denver coach Ryan Strain said. “I don’t think when I took this job that a lot of people thought we could do this, and it wouldn’t have happened without our administration, our coaches, our players … everybody has done a terrific job the last five years.”

    The Roadrunners also won the RMAC Tournament for the first time since 2002.

    Thursday’s game against Texas A&M-Kingsville is set to begin at 1:30 p.m. (MDT). All tournament games will be live-streamed on the Lone Star Conference Network.

    Related Topics
    • University News
     

    Follow RED on Instagram

    Stay in the loop for fresh stories that matter to those who call Colorado home — and those who’d like to.

    Related Stories

    • Sports

      Back on track and breaking records

      Back on track and breaking records

      Back on track and breaking records

      After a six-year hiatus, Maya Ries returned to college and became the fastest hurdler in MSU Denver history.

      After a six-year hiatus, Maya Ries returned to college and became the fastest hurdler in MSU Denver history.

    • Sports

      Game day gets a makeover

      Game day gets a makeover

      Game day gets a makeover

      Due to changing demographics and expectations, the sports industry now offers more entertainment value and viewing options.

      Due to changing demographics and expectations, the sports industry now offers more entertainment value and viewing options.

    • Sports

      Broncos PR legend reflects on a storied career and a new era for Denver football

      Broncos PR legend reflects on a storied career and a new era for Denver football

      Broncos PR legend reflects on a storied career and a new era for Denver football

      Jim Saccomano honored as an inaugural winner of the National Football League Hall of Fame’s Award of Excellence.

      Jim Saccomano honored as an inaugural winner of the National Football League Hall of Fame’s Award of Excellence.

    • Sports

      Stanley Cup Final a win for Avalanche fans and downtown businesses

      Stanley Cup Final a win for Avalanche fans and downtown businesses

      Stanley Cup Final a win for Avalanche fans and downtown businesses

      Watch parties on the Auraria Campus near Ball Arena provide a boost for MSU Denver-affiliated brewery and hotel.

      Watch parties on the Auraria Campus near Ball Arena provide a boost for MSU Denver-affiliated brewery and hotel.

    RED logo

    Subscribe to RED.

    Relevant. Essential. Denver. Delivered to your inbox, for free, every two weeks.

    Subscribe Now
    Background image
    MSU Denver logo
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Youtube
    • Twitter
    • Connect with RED
    • Subscribe
    • About RED
    • Contact RED
    • Sitemap
    • News Resources
    • Find an Expert
    • Media Resources
    • In the News

    Stay in the Loop

    Follow RED on Instagram for fresh stories that matter to those that call Colorado home – and those who'd like to.

    Follow RED

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Youtube
    • Twitter

    © Metropolitan State University of Denver

    Privacy