LUBBOCK, Texas (February 10, 2017) – An 8-4 game two win helped Adams State University split their Saturday doubleheader against No. 20 Lubbock Christian University. The Chaparrals downed the Grizzlies 13-5 in game one.

The four-game series concludes tomorrow at 11am MT as Adams State vies to split the non-conference series.

Game One
A combination of seven ASU errors along with seven LCU runs through three innings gave the Grizzlies a steep uphill battle during a 13-5 loss.

In the first inning alone the Grizzlies gave up four runs off two hits while committing three defensive errors. The Chaparrals tacked on a run in the second and two more in the third to establish an early 7-0 lead.

The Adams State offense came through with a pair of runs in the fourth thanks to RBI singles from Evan Weidner and Ryan Niemi. All of ASU's runs and hits in the frame came with two out.

The Chaparrals extended their lead with another run in the fourth and three more during the fifth to push out front, 11-2.

The Grizzlies countered with a three-run top of the sixth as a pair of walks set the stage for Niemi's base-clearing, two RBI triple to center field. Niemi's hit brought Erik Hildebrandt and Derek Denovellis in to score. As the next batter, Grant Templin reached base on a throwing error to bring Niemi across home plate to cut ASU's deficit to 11-5.

Three doubles in the bottom of the frame brought two more runs in for LCU to bring the game to its final score of 13-5.

Niemi paced the offense in the opener with a 2-for-3 performance at the dish with a run scored and three RBI. Josh Keaton (1-1) picked up the loss in 3.0 innings of work. Keaton gave up seven runs off four hits with only two runs being earned due to ASU errors. The senior also struck out four batters.

Game Two
The Grizzlies established more consistency on offense in the final game of the twinbill to carry out an 8-4 win.

Multi-hit games by Dustin Kachel, Michael Downs, and Patrick Huffaker helped the offense as Niemi added a 1-for-4 game with two RBI.

Scoring began in the top of the first as a LCU wild pitch brought Kachel in to score. However, the Chaparrals answered with a two-run bottom of the first thanks to a two RBI triple off ASU starting pitcher Bailey Garcia (2-0).  

The Grizzlies would take the lead for good in the top of the second off a RBI single from Huffaker followed by a bases loaded walk to bring Huffaker across the plate. The two-run frame gave ASU a slim 3-2 lead but the Grizzlies added insurance runs later on.

The first insurance run came in the fourth as Weidner scored off a wild pitch. Three more runs came in the sixth as Marco Garmendia connected for a RBI single followed by a two RBI single from Niemi to give Adams State a 7-3 lead.

ASU's run production continued in the ninth via a RBI single to left by Kachel to score Garmendia from second base. LCU added a run as well in the frame but Dylan Sherry fought through his relief appearance to complete the win. Sherry tossed 4.0 innings with three strikeouts and a run scored.

Garcia picked up his second win of the season in 5.0 innings of work. The Alamosa native struck out a season-high nine batters to fall just one strikeout shy of tying his single-game career high. On Friday, Garcia threw 95 pitches; allowing three runs off six hits.

The Grizzlies complete the series versus Lubbock Christian tomorrow at 11am MT.

For any future updates on ASU baseball, stay connected with www.asugrizzlies.com .