PUEBLO, Colo. – Casey Sheehan continued his hot hitting Saturday, but the Northwest Nazarene University baseball team lost 11-7 to Colorado State Pueblo in a nonconference game.

Sheehan was 4-for-5 with two home runs and three RBIs and Jesse Hilyard was 3-for-5 with a home run, but the Nighthawks (2-8) couldn't hold onto a 5-2 lead in the sixth.

"I am pleased with the way we are creating offense and playing defense," NNU coach Rocke Musgraves said. "Sheehan and (Justin) Folz hit some balls as hard as you can hit them."

Sheehan hit a solo shot in the first and added a two-run blast in the sixth sandwiched around an RBI-single by Coltin Brink and a Folz stealing home for a 5-1 lead.

Pueblo immediately answered, though, scoring twice in the bottom of the sixth and five times in the seventh.

"We have to start attacking the zone with confidence," Musgraves said.

Hilyard hit his home run in the top of the seventh and added a run-scoring single in the ninth.

Folz finished 3-of-5 with a run scored, while Brink was 2-for-5 with a run and an RBI.

Brennan Patterson took the loss in relief, allowing three runs on three hits with a walk. Zach Penrod struck out seven in 3.2 innings in the start.

The Nighthawks have next weekend off before opening conference play against Central Washington at Elmore W. Vail Field on Friday, March 2.