Colorado State baseball was ready to play under the lights for a mid-week matchup, but their opponent — Metro State University — was not as prepared.

Metro made the trip from Denver but did not have enough players at game time. This meant the team had to forfeit and an automatic score of 9-0 Rams went into the books. Both teams still wanted to play, so CSU lent two players to Metro for an inning and a half so the game could start before the remaining Metro players showed up. 

“I really wanted to be able to get our guys at-bats and reps,” Coach Troy Tolar said. “I wanted to still play.”

CSU came into the game with serious momentum following their 15-2 win over Arizona Christian University on March 22. That game was a high note in an overall rough road series — finished with a record of 3-4 in Arizona — the Rams were eager to start a winning streak against Metro.

CSU ended up winning 12-0, but in the scorebook the game will still remain a 9-0 win by forfeit due to the unusual circumstances.

Michael Forlenza and Gage O’Neil both subbed in for Metro for an inning and a half. The two players were able to see the Rams from a different point of view.

“You know, (they’re) good guys over there,” Forlenza said. He also gave high praise to his fellow teammates after facing them from the other side. “It was good to face strong pitchers [CSU pitchers].” 

O’Neil was thrilled with the unique opportunity.

“It was a good experience,” O’Neil said. “It was one of those things you don’t plan when you come to the ballpark.”

Infielder Brandon DeLay had a prodigious day at the plate. He went 1-2 with an RBI and a moonshot home run.

“I felt good,” DeLay said. “I like night games, playing under the lights. We had a good atmosphere.”

Infielder Preston Scheidt was another key factor to the game. Scheidt has not received much playing time until recently. He made the most of it, going 3-4 with three singles and scoring three times.

“I don’t get much playing time, so I just tried to come out and do what I know I can,” Scheidt said. “My biggest thing was to just go relax and show what I can do and put on a display of my skills.”

CSU currently ranks No. 12 in the National Club Baseball Association after weeks of solid play.

CSU will travel to Greely, Colo., to take on University of Northern Colorado March 30 and March 31. CSU will play two doubleheaders each day for a four-game series. The double-headers will start at 10:00 a.m. both days, followed by a noon start time for the second game.

The Rams are looking forward to getting back into conference play with the matchups.

“We are excited to play some more conference games,” Tolar said. “We are excited to play those games that really mean something.” 

Tyler Meguire can be reached at sports@collegian.com or on Twitter @TMeguire.