BOULDER (4/7/11) - The University of Colorado baseball team will look to upset the three time defending National Champion and in-state rival, Colorado State, on Sunday Apr. 17 at Scott Carpenter Park. The Buffaloes will play the Rams in a doubleheader; the first game begins at 2 p.m. while the second contest is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.
The Buffs are currently 10-11 overall and 1-3 in conference play. CU’s 1-3 conference record has them ranked third in the Mid-American Conference West Division. The Colorado State Rams are 19-17 overall this year with a 3-1 conference record. The Rams are currently atop the MAC West standings.
Last season, the Buffs went 2-6 against the Rams. Senior catcher and team captain Tony Piha is looking to turn things around for the Buffs this year with his bat. Piha is currently third in the nation in hits and also has three home runs, 18 RBI’s and a batting average of .426. CU will also need junior outfielder Tucker Hinchliffe to stay hot. Hinchliffe went 7-8 in two games last weekend vs. Northern Colorado, raising his average to .379 and tying him for the team lead in RBI’s with 18.
Perhaps the most important player for the Buffs is senior outfielder Ryan Graf, who transferred to CU this year from UC Santa Barbara. Graf is leading or is tied for the team lead in a plethora of offensive categories, including triples, home runs, RBI’s, walks, stolen bases and on-base percentage.
“Adding Ryan has been a huge boost to our lineup,” said team president and captain Ben Fuchs. “He stepped in and immediately filled the vacancy at DH, consistently providing production and serving as a major catalyst in the lineup. He brings a skilled, veteran presence that is invaluable to a young team like ours, and having him in the middle of the order with Tony Piha has given us a dependable 1-2 punch that I'd put up against anyone in the country.”Admission to the Apr. 17 game is free for the general public. However, it is recommended that all fans arrive to the game early as last year’s contest at Scott Carpenter Park was standing room only.
This is the Buff’s first game at Scott Carpenter Park since CU played CSU last spring. Colorado normally plays their home games in Johnstown, Colo., so the close proximity to campus is sure to draw a large crowd with an electric atmosphere.
Colorado will also play Colorado State this weekend in Fort Collins and will face the Rams again on Apr. 16 in Johnstown, Colo.
The Buffs will travel to Greeley, Colo., to finish off their regular season against the Northern Colorado Bears on Apr. 24.
