ALAMOSA, Colo. (March 5, 2016) – Pitching remained supreme on Saturday as Adams State University split their conference doubleheader with New Mexico Highlands University.
The Cowboys escaped game one with a 3-1 win but the Grizzlies retaliated with a 3-2 victory in game two.
NMHU collected runs in the second and fifth innings during the opener as the ASU offense struggled to find a rhythm. The Cowboys' first run was made possible with three consecutive singles; the last of which was an infield single to score Brian Chaparro from third. The eventual game-winning run came off the bat of Jeremy McCarty in the fifth as he sent a two RBI home run over the left field fence.
Zach Moldenhauer wrangled up the lone RBI for Adams State as the senior pushed a single up the middle to score
Tyler Bybee who came on to pinch run for
Dillon Granzella who led off the frame with a double to left field. A seventh inning rally fell through as the Grizzlies went 1-2-3 in their final inning at the plate.
Tanner Wiemers (2-1) was given his first loss of the season after throwing 4.1 innings. Wiemers was effective in his outing with five strikeouts and only two walks but ran out of juice in the fifth when NMHU produced two runs.
Benjamin Nutsch prevented any further damage with three strikeouts in a relief appearance. Nutsch gave up only one hit and made quick work of the eight batters he faced.
Chris Morley went a perfect 3-for-3 at the dish but was unable to account for any run production during the pitching duel. Moldenhauer added a 1-for-2 performance with the lone RBI.
The Grizzlies held onto a slim 2-1 advantage in game two as action headed to the top of the seventh. However, NMHU rallied to produce the game-tying run as starting pitcher
Josh Keaton ultimately fell short of producing a complete game performance. With NMHU runners on first and second, Jesus Caporal singled to center allowing Easton Garcia to score. A walk followed to load the bases and bring Keaton's day to a close. Now with a pressure situation, reliever
Bailey Garcia took to the mound and quickly brought an end to the inning with a pop up to second baseman
Thomaslee Mares.
Adams State would avoid extra innings with a run in the bottom of the frame to take the win. As a pinch hitter,
Dillon Bollig reached base via a single which was followed by a Mares single. A batter later, Bollig eventually crossed home plate as
Michael Downs knocked a ball to the second basemen who committed an error on the play to advance Bollig in to score.
Despite the late inning magic it was Granzella's game as the senior went 2-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored. Granzella put the Grizzlies on the board with a solo shot to right field in the fourth followed by a RBI single two innings later.
Although Keaton lasted 6.2 innings on the mound it was Garcia who picked up the win as he closed out the top of the seventh to allow ASU to score the game-winning run.
The Grizzlies and Cowboys close out the series tomorrow at 12pm from the ASU Baseball Field.
