PUEBLO, Colo. (March 20, 2016) – Adams State University held leads in both games of Sunday's twinbill but Colorado State University-Pueblo spoiled the opening day of series play for the Grizzlies. The ThunderWolves took game one, 11-9, and later added a 6-5 win in walk-off fashion in game two.
The Grizzlies (11-12, 7-3 RMAC) return to the diamond for a Monday doubleheader against the ThunderWolves (15-6, 9-1 RMAC) to close out the four-game conference series. First pitch is scheduled for 12pm from Rawlings Field.
In game one, the Grizzlies overcame a five-run deficit to eventually take an 8-6 lead with six innings in the books. As the Grizzlies inched closer to the finish line they ran into trouble in the bottom of the eighth as the ThunderWolves retook the lead with a five-run inning. It served as the second five-run frame for CSU-Pueblo and propelled them to an 11-9 win to open the four-game series.
The Grizzlies loaded the bases in the top of the ninth in hopes of a comeback but had to battle carefully after back-to-back outs to begin the inning. A bases loaded walk issued to
Zach Moldenhauer brought in one run but his RBI was followed with a strikeout to end the game.
Adams State did a bulk of their work with six runs in the fifth. The Grizzlies picked up their six runs off five hits and sent 12 batters to the plate. The first six ASU batters reached base safely via a walk or single which prompted a CSU-Pueblo pitching change that seemed to have no effect on the ASU bats. The Grizzlies ultimately forced another pitching change and left the frame with a 7-6 lead as
Dillon Granzella added a RBI single an inning later.
The ThunderWolves struck with their big eighth inning as the ASU pitching staff allowed four walks and gave up a wild pitch. The erratic pitching gave CSU-Pueblo baserunners to work with which proved costly as the ThunderWolves took the lead with a trio of RBI singles.
Moldenhauer hit 3-for-5 at the dish with two runs and a RBI as
Michael Downs was responsible for a run, RBI, and stolen base while finishing 2-for-3 at the plate.
Tanner Wiemers took to the mound in a starting role and lasted 5.0 innings with five strikeouts and six runs off 10 hits.
Dylan Sherry (1-2) picked up the loss as the pitcher on record during CSU-Pueblo's big eighth inning.
The Grizzlies jumped to a 2-0 advantage in game two thanks to the bats of
Marco Garmendia and
Chris Morley in the top of the second. Garmendia's RBI single to right field scored Granzella from third as Morley followed two batters later with a RBI single to left field to bring in
Thomaslee Mares.
The lead was short-lived as CSU-Pueblo responded with three runs of their own in the bottom of the frame.
Adams State's regained the lead with a pair of runs in the fourth and an additional run in the fifth. After two quick outs, Garmendia connected for a single in the top of the fourth and was quickly brought in to score a batter later as Downs doubled to right field, scoring Garmendia. It was then Downs who touched home plate as Morley picked up a RBI single.
Two-out magic took place in the fifth as
Dillon Bollig singled to right field, scoring
Evan Weidner from second base.
Heartbreak set in as the ThunderWolves scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh to end the game. Clinging to a 5-3 lead, ASU kept starter
Bailey Garcia (2-2) on the mound but the complete game win was not to be. After a ground out to begin the frame, Garcia ran into trouble by giving up a double and three consecutive singles. The aforementioned production brought in two runs to tie the game at 5-5. The eventual game-winning run was unearned as an ASU defensive error scored a CSU-Pueblo runner from third base.
Garcia ended his day with a stat line of 6.1 innings pitched with eight strikeouts and five earned runs off 12 hits. Garcia did not allow a walk during his outing.
Morley led the offensive with a 4-for-4 feat including two RBI and a double. Downs added a double of his own in addition to his 2-for-3 game with a run and RBI. Bollig was a third Grizzly to notch a double and finished with a 2-for-4 day at the plate.
First pitch of Monday's doubleheader is set for 12pm from Rawlings Field.
