DENVER (April 10, 2015) – A three-run eighth inning for Adams State University extended the game into extra innings but Metropolitan State University of Denver tallied a run in the tenth to claim a 5-4 win over the Grizzlies in the series opener. Adams State moves to 14-18 overall and 10-11 in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) play. Metro State now stands at 17-13, 12-9 RMAC.

Marco Garmendia put the Grizzlies up 1-0 in the second inning with an RBI sacrifice fly to bring Zach Moldenhauer in from third. The lead was short-lived as the Roadrunners countered with a run in the bottom of the frame and later tacked on two runs in the fifth and one run in the sixth.

Now facing a 4-1 deficit, the Grizzly bats fell silent against Metro State pitcher Kris Lalk who lasted 7.1 innings and tallied six strikeouts. The ASU drought ended in the eighth with a three-run performance to knot the game up at 4-4.

In the eighth, Tyler Thurston collected an RBI double to left center to trade places with Chris Morley who proceeded with a double of his own.  Two batters later a Moldenhauer RBI single scored Thurston to inch the Grizzlies closer at 4-3. After a Metro State pitching change, Jaron Dorchinez provided the game-tying RBI single. Further damage was abruptly halted as Jerid Huggins hit into a double play to end the frame.

After a scoreless ninth inning the game moved into extras where the Roadrunners notched the game winning run in the tenth. The run came off a Dorchinez throwing error to score Darryl Baca.

Reliever Dylan Sherry picked up the loss in 2.2 innings of work to move to 0-2 on the season.

The two teams return to the diamond for a doubleheader tomorrow beginning at 12:00 p.m.