PUEBLO, Colo. (March 21, 2016) – Things did not go according to plan for Adams State University on a rare Monday doubleheader against Colorado State University-Pueblo.

Needing to win both games to even the series, the Grizzlies unfortunately fell twice to the ThunderWolves by the scores of 12-6 (game 1) and 8-5 (game 2).

The Grizzlies (11-14, 7-5 RMAC) remain on the road next weekend with a four-game series at Colorado Christian University.

In Monday's opener, the Grizzlies came within a run of the ThunderWolves by sending two runners across home plate in the eighth but could not push ahead as CSU-Pueblo responded with a five-run bottom of the eighth to pull away for a 12-6 victory.

A Devin Nelson RBI single in the top of the first opened the scoring and temporarily placed the Grizzlies ahead, 1-0. However, three runs apiece in the second and third innings pushed CSU-Pueblo out in front, 6-1.

After a RBI triple from Dillon Granzella in the fifth, momentum began to favor the Green & White as the game entered its final stages.

The momentum was fully ensured by Dylan April who led off the seventh with a solo shot over the left center fence. After a walk, single, and fielder's choice; Nelson stepped into the batter's box and promptly lifted a single to center field to score Chris Morley.

In the bottom of the frame, Nabeeh Blackburn notched a 1-2-3 inning that allowed the ASU offense to go right back to work. In the two-run eighth, ASU quickly loaded the bases to bring Morley up to bat as the senior came through with a RBI single. The Grizzlies would tack on another run in the next at-bat but were severely hindered as Tyler Thurston's ground ball resulted in a double play.

It would be as close as ASU got, however, as the ThunderWolves took their 7-6 lead and quickly expanded it to a 12-6 advantage via their five-fun bottom of the eighth. For the inning, CSU-Pueblo grabbed five runs off four hits as ASU made two pitching changes and committed one error.

Nelson finished the game with two RBI while going 2-for-5 at the dish as April added a 2-for-3 mark highlighted by his solo home run in the seventh. Ty Gavin (0-2) was handed the loss after his difficult start resulting in six runs off five hits in 1.1 innings on the mound.

In game two, Adams State began quickly with a five-run second inning that ultimately gave the Grizzlies a 5-3 lead after two complete frames. The score remained the same as a pitcher's duel emerged in the middle innings. After the ThunderWolves scored a run in the bottom of the second both offenses went silent. From the third through the top of the sixth, the two conference foes combined to produce only five total hits.

The narrative soon changed as CSU-Pueblo awoke to take an 8-5 lead in the bottom of the sixth. The five-run frame became a frustrating one for Adams State who was able to force two quick outs before the damage was done. The biggest dent came in the form of a grand slam home run that was set up by consecutive walks and a hit batter by the ASU pitching staff.

The devastating blow went without retaliation as the Grizzlies went down in order during the top of the seventh to end the game, and the series.

Morley, Thomaslee Mares, and Evan Weidner all tallied a multi-hit game as Josh Keaton (1-3) recorded the loss after running into trouble during the sixth. Keaton notched seven strikeouts and allowed seven runs off eight hits. He also gave up two home runs including the grand slam in the sixth.

The Grizzlies remain on the road next weekend at Colorado Christian University. First pitch of the four-game series is set for 12pm on March 25^th.