ALAMOSA—Dark clouds and drizzle moving in and out of the vicinity of the Adams State University Softball Field on Sunday did not put a damper on Senior Day celebrations as 11 seniors played their final home doubleheader in which the Grizzlies won the opening game 15-6 in five innings and lost the second game in a weather-shortened six inning game, 6-5.

Adams State jumped out to a quick lead in the opening game as Erica Haugum scorched a ground rule double to right center field for a ground rule RBI double before Marissa Harmon staked the Grizzlies out to a 3-run lead with her second homer in as many days. This one was to left field.

In the top of the second inning, Adams State nearly escaped the inning without any damage but with two outs a high throw pulled Kelsi Kautz off the bag allowing a run to score. The damage could have been worse as the Cougars loaded the bases but pitcher Laura Murphy Payne was able to get a ground out to first base to end the threat.

Adams State exploded with runs in the bottom of the second inning where they posted their biggest inning in more than eight years as 15 batters went to bat and eleven runs crossed the plate. April Riggins hitting a 3-run homerun and Kautz hitting a 2-run homer. In the inning there were 11 base hits for the Grizzlies including two doubles, two triples and two homers. The Grizzlies entered the top of the third inning up 14-1.

The Cougars crawled back in and scored two runs on fielder's choice plays to cut the lead back to 11 runs. After a 1-2-3 bottom of the third, they scored three more runs.

Adams State was able to scrape one more across the bottom of the fourth to secure the win.

In all, Adams State had 16 base hits including nine extra base hits. Murphy was the winning pitcher as she allowed five earned runs in her complete game showing with nine hits and three walks. She had three strikeouts in the circle.

The second game was all about having fun for the Adams State seniors as several players were in positions they did not normally play, but they excelled.

The first inning saw Colorado Christian score the first run in the top of the first but the Grizzlies finally warmed up and had fun.

Normally a pitcher, Linda Hernandez was inserted into the lineup as a third baseman, and she stood up big in the second inning as made an impressive stop and throw to first base before she made a stellar catch to end the inning in foul territory.

In the bottom of the second Adams State tied the game on a sacrifice fly from Tayler Else.

Another Cougar run came across the score before the Grizzlies claimed their lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. Erika Ecsedy nailed a 2-run bomb to deep centerfield putting Adams State up 3-2. Else then hit another homer two batters later to put the Grizzlies up 4-2.

The Cougars battled back though as they went yard back-to-back in the top of the fifth inning to a take a 6-4 lead.

After an inning passed with neither team scoring and Head Coach Dervin Taylor giving the seniors their final shining moment, the sophomore Tessa Beran pinch hit in the bottom of the sixth inning. On her very first pitch, she nailed her very first hit of her career, a solo homer to left field.

Moments later Graduate Assistant Trainer Megan Ulery, who was monitoring the weather all day, informed the officials of lightning in the area forcing the officials to clear the field. Right when the field was cleared a heavy hail storm hit the area allowing the game to be called.

The Grizzlies finish the 2015 regular season campaign with a 23-20 overall record and a 21-16 RMAC record. They will be in action this upcoming week at the RMAC Tournament which will be hosted by Metro State University starting Thursday.

Check back with ASUGrizzlies.com for updates on the Grizzlies in the RMAC Softball Tournament.