ALAMOSA—With Mother Nature threatening to cause havoc on the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference softball schedule, the Adams State University and New Mexico Highlands University softball teams met in an early doubleheader on Friday. The Grizzlies swept the doubleheader by getting two 2-run home runs in the bottom of the sixth inning of the first game for a 10-6 win before a narrow win in the second game 10-9.
With weather threatening the San Luis Valley and the entire state of Colorado, Saturday's doubleheader is still currently scheduled for 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and serves as Parents and Senior Day. Any changes due to the weather will be posted on ASUGrizzlies.com.
In the opening game, NMHU jumped out to a 1-0 lead by playing small ball before ASU erupted for 4 runs in the bottom of the first inning including two on a throwing error and a 2-run blast from Tyler Hayes that appeared to have a little aide from the 33 mile per hour gusts of wind that was a constant during the doubleheader.
The Grizzlies the ran into a buzz saw in the top of the third as NMHU pushed across four runs on five hits, all singles to take a 5-4 lead. The Grizzlies had a chance to cut into the lead in the bottom of the inning as they loaded the bases but a mistake on the base paths was costly as an unassisted double play by the NMHU third baseman ended the inning.
NMHU added one more run on a deep double in the top of the fourth inning. In the bottom of the inning the Grizzlies rallied back and once again loaded the bases. They were able tie the game at six as two runs scored.
After two scoreless innings
Gabrielle Griego nailed her 11 th home run of the season after a 10-pitch at bat to deep center field. The 2-run blast, scoring Shaena Connley made the score 8-6. Hays then followed that with a single before
Kelsi Kautz nailed her first home run of the season down the left field line to make the score 10-6.
In the second game, NMHU scored four runs, thanks in part to the winds as four singles were popups that could not be tracked down because of the win downing them away and between defenders.
The Grizzlies battled back as they tallied nine hits over the next two innings to take a 9-4 lead.
Adams State added another run in the bottom of the third inning but the Cowgirls battled back and scored two runs before a huge 3-run blast to right center brought them within one run at 10-9.
