DENVER – Two middle-of-the-order All-America sluggers, a four-year starting shortstop within reach of the program's all-time hits record, three record-setting starting pitchers, four key bullpen arms and a talented player limited only by injuries.
 
That's a pretty incredible senior class, and one that MSU Denver will honor on Sunday in pre-game ceremonies before a noon doubleheader against Colorado School of Mines at the Assembly Athletic Complex.
 
"It's been a good group," MSU Denver coach Ryan Strain said. "This group has won a lot of games together."
 
The Roadrunners wrap up their regular-season with the four-game series against Mines that includes a noon doubleheader on Monday.
 
Appearing for their last games at the facility will be the first baseman-designated hitter duo of Jake Williams and Zach Schuler, shortstop Caleb Albaugh, starting pitchers Reichle Arcilise, Jack Slominski and Andrew Hayes, relievers Gabe Austin, Tyler Schultz, Brady McLean and Carson Brown, and outfielder Jayden Cordova.
 
Replacing them won't be easy.
 
"We've got to replace guys again, and this year we have to replace more pitching than hitting, where last year was more of the opposite," Strain said. "It's a never-ending cycle."
 
Williams and Schuler have played three seasons at MSU Denver – Williams missed the 2022 season with an injury – and are first (Williams) and tied for second (Schuler) on the program's career home run list with 47 and 45, respectively. Both earned All-America honors from all three major organizations last season.
 
Williams is also the program's all-time leader in being hit by pitches (48), is second in slugging percentage (.756), third in RBIs (183), fifth in total bases (377), seventh in on-base percentage (.486) and ninth in runs (160) while ranking in the top 25 in five other categories. He's a career .383 hitter.
 
Schuler ranks fourth in RBIs (177), fourth in total bases (381), fifth in slugging (.728), eighth in runs (165), eighth in hit by pitch (24), tied for ninth in doubles (46), 10^th in on-base percentage (.478) and tied for 10^th in walks (92) while ranking in the top 25 of four other categories.
 
"I always joke and say that Schu never would've gotten to play if Jake hadn't gotten hurt," Strain said. "And Jake got hurt playing basketball against Schu, when Schu was guarding him.
 
"They've both been huge, putting up the numbers they have. Jake has the home run record and Schu is right behind him and may pass him in the end. They've been in the middle of our order. They're both great kids and have had really nice careers."
 
Albaugh homered in his first career at-bat in 2021 and – other than missing time last year due to injury – has rarely been out of the lineup ever since. He needs six hits to become the program's all-time leader (he's currently third with 242), is the all-time leader in runs (200) and at-bats (716), ranks sixth in games (184), seventh in doubles (50), tied for seventh in triples (eight) and is 10^th in total bases (347) while ranking in the top 25 in four other categories.
 
"I don't know how long it's been since the program has had a guy who was a four-year starter," Strain said. "He's had a great career and hopefully he finishes it off well. He was a really good recruit for us."
 
Arcilise is the program's all-time strikeout leader with 233 while compiling a record of 18-9 and a 4.95 ERA. He's the program's all-time leader in strikeouts per nine innings (11.2), is tied for fourth in wins, tied for 10^th in games started (31), ranks 11^th in innings pitched (187 1/3) and is in the top 25 in four other categories.
 
Meanwhile, Slominski and Hayes both tied the single-season wins record last year with nine.
 
In his two seasons, Slominski ranks second in program history in walks per nine innings (1.8), tied for eighth in wins (15) and is in the top 25 in four other categories, including standing 20^th in strikeouts (126), while going 15-5 with a 5.63 ERA.
 
Hayes had a season-ending injury earlier this season and could pursue a waiver for a seventh year of eligibility. He has an overall record of 11-4 with a 7.38 ERA and ranks 18^th in program history in starts (26) and 21^st in strikeouts per nine innings (7.4).
 
"Hayes had a really good year last year and was throwing on Fridays for us this year before he got hurt," Strain said. "He's had a nice career and has logged a lot of innings for us. Jack has only been here for two years, and he was a good sign – we signed him to be a starter for us, and he's done that. He moved into the Friday role this year and has done a nice job of that.
 
"And Reichle is a five-year guy who set the all-time strikeouts record and has continued to add to do that. That means you've been here a while and you've done well when you've been there. His longevity has helped us to get to the point where we're at."
 
Austin ranks 10^th in program history with 52 pitching appearances and is 4-5 with two saves and a 6.72 ERA. Schultz, like Austin a sixth-year performer, has 33 strikeouts in 34 career innings while compiling a 10.06 ERA.
 
"Gabe and Schultz have both been here for six years – they redshirted and then used their COVID year," Strain said. "Gabe has thrown a lot for us and his role has increased over time. Tyler hasn't gotten as many innings as Gabe, but he's been here and it was a neat situation that he was able to play with his brother (Cody). They've been integral parts in helping us go from where we started to where we are."
 
McLean has made 33 relief appearances in two seasons after transferring home from Miami (Ohio), and is 7-2 with two saves and a 7.80 ERA. Brown has worked as both a starter (13 games) and reliever (12) in two seasons since transferring home from Division I Utah Valley and is 6-3 with a 7.33 ERA and one save.
 
"It's nice to be able to get some of these kids who have gone somewhere else first, but we're still a good option for them if it doesn't work out where they're at," Strain said. "Carson has started quite a bit for us, but some injuries have slowed him down. He's done a nice job for us. Brady has a very good arm and is a guy we've thrown in there for some big innings, because he has the ability to work in those situations. At times he's thrown really well for us."
 
Cordova, a speedy outfielder, has 123 career at-bats and has a .244 average with three homers and 27 RBIs.
 
"Unfortunately Jayden's career has been riddled with a lot of injuries," Strain said. "He just hasn't been able to stay out there. He's gotten some chances to start. A couple of years ago he was our starting left fielder, but he got hurt, we moved Chase Anderson to left and then Cody Schultz went in (at second base) and Cody's career took off (he became an All-American). Last year Jayden was playing behind three All-Americans in the outfield, so it was tough to get into the lineup. And he's had some injuries again this year."
 
MSU Denver's two-year players have been part of teams that have gone 69-33. The last three seasons have seen the team go 94-55. Over the last four years the Roadrunners are 128-65, and dating back five years the record is 135-76. Including the 2019 season that saw Austin, Schultz and Cordova come in and redshirt, the record has been 163-100.
 
Strain admittedly has been bringing in fewer four-year players, and COVID waivers allowed Williams, Schuler and Hayes to spend additional time with MSU Denver.
 
"The last few years, our recruiting classes are getting older," Strain said. "Post-COVID, that's what's happened in our climate, plus our school lends itself to being a good place for transfers. I don't know if we'll see the longevity of careers as much as we have from this many guys. We still want to get some freshmen who can come and step in, but it's unique that these guys have been able to play for so long."
 
The senior celebration will serve as preamble to a big series with Mines.
 
MSU Denver is 27-19 overall and 18-10 for second place in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, while Mines is 21-17 and 14-10 and tied for fourth. While the Roadrunners have next weekend off, second place Regis (15-9), Mines and Adams State (14-10) have one more four-game series remaining. Sixth-place CSU Pueblo (15-13) also wraps up its regular season this weekend, while seventh-place UCCS (11-13) has eight games left.
 
The top six teams advance to the RMAC Tournament (Colorado Mesa leads the pack at 19-5).
 
"Mines is a solid team," Strain said. "They have one of the best pitching staffs in the league, have some solid arms, guys who've been there for a while.
 
"Now our team seems to hit better pitching better. I don't really understand it, but that's who we are. Our guys should be up for it, and we'll play hard. We're all playing for something – we're all in that mix for second through sixth, realistically."