PUEBLO, Colo. (May 1, 2015) – For the first time since 1976, the Adams State University baseball program will play in the RMAC Tournament. The Grizzlies clinched the fourth, and final, spot by virtue of their 5-4 game two win over Colorado State University-Pueblo.

"It's huge for our program, our school, and the players to achieve this in such a short time." Head coach Jim Capra stated in a postgame interview. "I've coached 35 years now and this is the most satisfy accomplishment I've had."

The ASU baseball returned as a varsity program in 2013 after a 35-year hiatus.

ASU's first victory over the ThunderWolves this season came only hours after New Mexico Highlands University split their Friday doubleheader at Regis University. ASU officially secured their postseason ticket with NMHU's loss coupled with their 3-1 series lead in head-to-head matchups over the Cowboys.

The Grizzlies nearly came away with a game one victory but fell, 6-5, in the tenth inning. However, Adams State took care of business with the 5-4 win to end the day.

After Friday's split, ASU stands at 20-27, 16-18 RMAC. The two RMAC foes return to the diamond on Saturday for a twin bill beginning at 2:00 p.m.
  
Game 1
It took ten innings to decide a winner and unfortunately it was CSU-Pueblo who came through with a run in the bottom of the tenth. Adams State forced free baseball as Dillon Granzella sent a two-run shot to right field to tie the game at 5-5 in the eighth. Granzella's timely home run scored Jaron Dorchinez who began the frame with a walk.

The game was scoreless until the ThunderWolves notched a pair of runs in the fourth. However, the Grizzlies responded in the fifth with three runs to claim the lead. With two outs and runners in scoring position, it was Dillon Bollig who doubled to left center to put ASU on the board. Zach Moldenhauer immediately followed with an RBI single to score Bollig.

CSU-Pueblo's Mike Wagner quickly shifted momentum in the bottom of the frame to reclaim the lead. The ThunderWolves would tack on another run in the sixth before Granzella's two-run homer to tie the affair in the eighth.

Trouble loomed for Adams State in the bottom of the tenth as CSU-Pueblo recorded a double and a hit before Dominick Bregar provided a single up the middle for the game-winning run.

Bollig and Granzella each accounted for two RBI's as Marco Garmendia went 3-for-5 with a run scored. Reliever Dylan Sherry picked up the loss in 2.1 innings of work.  

Game 2
With the backing of a complete game performance from pitcher Andrew MacMahon, the Grizzlies notched a 5-4 win as the offense produced a four-run third inning.

Before the big third inning, the Grizzlies made noise in the top of the first to claim an early 1-0 lead. Chris Morley and Tyler Thurston began the game with back-to-back walks. The duo quickly advanced into scoring position as each stole a base with Bollig stepping into the batter's box. Bollig struck out swinging but a passed ball on the pitch allowed Bollig to reach first and scored Morley from third.

The ThunderWolves answered with two runs in the second thanks to consecutive RBI singles. Further damage was halted as the inning ended thanks to a 6-4-3 double play.

The Grizzlies retook the lead for good with their big third inning. With the bases load, Jaron Dorchinez lifted a two RBI single into center field to score Bollig and Thurston. ASU continued to produce thanks to aggressive base running. A double steal by Dorchinez and Moldenhauer resulted in both runners scoring as the throw to second by the CSU-Pueblo catcher sailed into the outfield. For the frame, ASU accounted for four runs on three hits along with one error by the ThunderWolves.

With all of the offensive they ultimately needed, MacMahon went the distance for his team-leading fifth complete game of the season. After CSU-Pueblo added two runs in the fifth, MacMahon worked efficiently through the lineup. The senior recorded three strikeouts, a ground out, and a fly out in the final two frames. Cather Jake Montoya promptly brought the game to an end as he gunned down Jordan Godman on an attempted steal of second base.

"He's definitely a work horse." Capra said of MacMahon. "He had one rough inning but that was coming out of a 30-minute rain delay. After that he found his groove and really limited CSU-Pueblo."

MacMahon struck out six batters and allowed only one walk as he improves to 5-4 on the season.