PUEBLO, Colo. (March 24, 2016) - A change of scenery, and weather, resulted in a pair of pitching duals on Thursday between Adams State University and Colorado Christian University from Runyon Field. The Cougars took game one, 3-1, as the Grizzlies claimed revenge in the final game of the twinbill, 1-0.
The Grizzlies (12-15, 8-6 RMAC) were unable to overcome a two-run shot in the top of the first that sent the Cougars to a 3-1 victory in the opener. The difference came off the bat of CCU's Jerry Gallegos in the bottom of the first against ASU pitcher
Tanner Wiemers (3-2). In a game of finesse the home run served as a minor blemish on Wiemers' stat sheet as the senior threw a nine inning complete game. Wiemers struck out eight batters during his solid outing but the ASU offense was unable to provide any run support. Wiemers gave up three runs off three hits and forced nine ground outs.
The lone Grizzly run came in the eighth as
Evan Weidner's ground out to short brought in
Dillon Granzella from third base. Despite collecting eight hits, the Grizzlies struggled to bring runs across home plate to the tune of nine runners left on base. Meanwhile the Cougars picked up three hits and only stranded two base runners.
Tyler Thurston led all players with three hits as
Dillon Bollig went 2-for-3 including a double.
Strong pitching continued for ASU in game two as
Bailey Garcia (3-2) threw a complete game shutout en route to his third victory of the season. The sophomore struck out five and gave up four hits but prevented the Cougars from touching home plate. Bailey had a pair of 1-2-3 frames during the fifth and seventh innings.
CCU's starter, Matt Weaver, also threw a complete game but it was ASU's
Chris Morley who provided the game-winning run in the third inning. With one out and runners on the corners, Morley lifted a ball into center field to score
Jake Gonzales. The run-scoring play gave Morley his team-leading 22
nd RBI of the season. Morley finished 1-for-3 on the day as
Drew Wells and
Dylan April also picked up hits for the Grizzlies.
The Grizzlies and Cougars return to the diamond tomorrow from Runyon Field in Pueblo at 12pm.
