ANGELO, Texas—The 2016 season opener was a not a bright one for Adams State as illegal pitches doomed them early and helped the Texas A&M International Dustdevils take the opening game of the 2016 George McCorkle, 10-2, in five innings. In the second game of the day a Gabriella Griego grand slam lifted Adams State to a 6-2 win over Northwesatern Oklahoma State University

The first game opened up with TAMIU taking a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning as two illegal pitches were called before a single helped one run cross. With two runners in scoring position, starting pitcher, junior Kaitlin Hoffmann forced the eighth batter of the inning to ground out.

In the bottom half of the inning, Adams State got a hit from Paige Reichmuth but a double play quickly ended the inning. Illegal pitches continued to hurt Adams State as a third one was called to set up an RBI double.

A throwing error then hurt the Grizzlies as the error allowed two runs to score and make the score 4-0 going into the bottom half of the inning. Again, Adams State was unable to get any offense generated as they went down in order. After getting one out, a triple down the right field line then turned into a run for TAMIU on the fourth illegal pitch of the game called on Hoffman.

The Grizzlies then got on the board in the bottom of the third as senior Shaena Connelly was hit by a pitch before junior Alexandria Quintana singled. Junior Kalin Johnson got her first hit of the campaign with a triple to left field to score both runners. The top of the fifth inning was not kind to Adams State as the Dustdevils scored five runs on five hits with all five runs coming after two outs were tallied for the Grizzlies. Adams State could not score in the bottom half of the inning and the game ended due to the run rule.

In the second game, Northwestern jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the botttom of the first inning before the two teams locked in on a defensive battle until the top of the sixth inning. The Grizzlies exploded for six runs including an RBI single from Johnson, another RBI single from Tayler Hays before Griego nailed her first homer of the season to clear the bases.

Northwestern attempted to come back in the bottom of the inning as they had the bases loaded thanks to a throwing error but the Grizzlies were able to get a decisive groundout to end the game with the win.

The Grizzlies have two games on Saturday as they play Angelo State at 2:15 p.m. and the Texas A&M International at 5:30 p.m. They then cap off the tournament on Sunday when they play Angelo State at 9:30 a.m. and Texas A&M International at 12 p.m.