DENVER—A 3-run third inning and stellar pitching saw the Adams State University Grizzlies take the first game of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament on Thursday morning at Regis University. The Grizzlies posted a 4-0 shutout over the CSU-Pueblo ThunderWolves.

After a scoreless top of the first inning, starting pitcher Kelsey Sellars looked like she was going to have a tough day on the mound as a triple followed by a walk and stolen base had two ThunderWolves in scoring position and only one out. She stood her ground though and got a strikeout and a line out to end the threat.

The Grizzlies took a lead in the top of the second inning as Erica Haugum singles before freshman April Riggins nailed an RBI double to right field.

Sellars settled in the circle in the second inning as she had a 1-2-3 inning before Adams State added to their lead in the third inning. After getting two runners in scoring position, Erika Ecsedy was able to single down the
left field line. Haugum then earned her first RBI of the tournament as she nailed a 2-run single up the middle to push the lead to 4-0. In all the Grizzlies scored three runs on four hits and no errors in the third inning.

Aside from a single in the bottom of the third inning and the bottom of the fifth inning, Sellars maintained her stellar performance as the Grizzlies kept their 4-0 lead.

The ThunderWolves broke through with a walk, an error and single to load the bases in the bottom of the sixth with just a single out. She was able to get out of the jam though and force the game into the seventh inning with a 4-0 lead still intact. The two teams then traded 1-2-3 innings to end the game.

In all the Grizzlies had seven hits to score their four runs. Sellars got the win by firing 122 pitches in seven innings. She gave up five hits and two walks but had two strikeouts.

With the win the Grizzlies will be back in action at about 3:45 p.m. at Metro State University where they will play the winner in the game between the No. 1 seeded and hot Roadrunners, and the No. 8 seeded New Mexico Highlands University.

The double-elimination tournament continues on Friday and Saturday at Metro State University.