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Box Score 2 ALAMOSA—Despite the cold weather and snow flurries that swept over the ASU atheltic complexes on Saturday afternoon, the Adams State University softball team was able to keep the bats warmed up for a sweep over the Chadron State Eagles. The Grizzlies won the first game 11-4 before Chadron State won a back-and-forth affair, 12-11.
The doubleheader was dubbed 'Strikeout Cancer" for the Grizzlies as they had a special ceremony before the game where Joni Sellars, Shirley Zanski and Vicki Kautz throq out ceremonial first pitches.
The Eagles jumped to a quick lead in the top of the first as two hits allowed leadoff hitter Courtney Lecher to score. The Grizzlies were unable to counter in the bottom half of the frame as they got two base runners on two walks.
After a 1-2-3 top of the second the Grizzlies pulled even on the first batter as designated hitter
April Riggins blasted a 3-2 pitch over the left field fence for her second home run of the 2015 campaign. The Grizzlies then scored the go ahead run with two outs as
Kalin Johnson lifted the eighth pitch of her at bat to center field to score
Tayler Else from second.
Another 1-2-3 inning by the Grizzlies defense was followed by some offense as
Marissa Harmon lined a single up the middle for an RBI that scored pinch runner
Alysia Schultz. The Grizzlies once again had two outs but they battled back and and loaded the bases for
Kyana Quarrell who knocked in two runs with a double to left center.
The Grizzlies then loaded the bases and capitalized on three hard singles and two errors to score two runs, unfortunately the Grizzlies were unable to score any more runs as the bases were loaded with no outs.
The Eagles attempted to come back as Katelyn Kruger nailed a solo shot to right center to lead off the top of the fifth inning. They then scored two unearned runs as Courtney lecher hit a 2-run homer with two outs.
The Grizzlies scored three runs on two extra base hits by Harmon and Alex Moore to enlarge ther lead to 10-4 going into the sixth inning. The Grizzlies then scored a single run in the bottom half of the inning to take an 11-4 lead.
Morgan McWilliams came in and walked the first batter before closing the game out for the win.
Sellars got the win as she improved to 10-8 on the season by allowing four runs, two earned, on five hits and two walks. She had three strikeouts.
In the second game, Adams State scored two runs in the bottom of the first inning as a muffed throw at first base was costly. Dunlap scored the opening run before Riggins scored the second. The Eagles scored a solo run in the top of the second on a deep double to left field.
After a scoreless third inning, the Eagles tied the game after a throwing error and a triple.The Eagles then tacked on two more runs to take a 4-2 lead into the bottom of the fourth inning. All the Eagle runs in the inning were unearned.
Adams State then scored a single run in the bottom of the fourth inning as Quarrell nailed a 2-out line drive at the right fielder that was dropped allowing
Tayler Else to score from second. The Grizzlies then recaptured the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning as Harmon scored her eighth homer of the season with a line drive shot over the left field wall. Haugum scored on the play.
Moments later, Shaena Conelly nabbed her first hit of the season with a double to left center to score pinch hitting.
The Grizzlies, who entered the sixth inning with a 6-4 lead then fumbled defensively as a dropped fly ball to left field kept the inning going and three unearned runs crossed the plate and they led 7-6.
That did not stop the Grizzlies because they came alive and sent nine batters to the plate and scored five runs on in the bottom half of the frame to another lead. The inning started quickly as Haugum earned two RBI to score Quarrel and Dunlap and retake the lead 8-7. Three batters later Ecsedy hit a 3-run bomb to right center to increase the lead to 11-7.
With McWilliams in to play relief, the Eagles loaded the bases with no outs. They were able to score five runs with the help of another dropped fly ball. The Grizzlies were then sat down in order.
The Grizzlies, who are now 19-19 on the season and 17-15 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, will host another doubleheader against Chadron State on Sunday.
