DENVER- Even though they led 4-0 entering the final inning in the second game of Sunday's doubleheader at Regis, the Grizzlies almost gave the Regis Rangers a 4-game sweep, however, a bases loaded strikeout by
Lauren Murphy allowed the Grizzlies to capture their first win of the 2017 season, 4-3.
The win came after the Grizzlies fell to the Rangers, 10-0, in a 5-inning mercy-rule game.
In the second game, Adams State had their season-high eight hits and played a clean game defensively. They capitalized on the defensive struggles of the Rangers as three of the four runs were unearned because of four Ranger errors.
Adams State scored two runs in the top of the second when
Alexandria Quintana singled to right field to score
Jasmine Pemble.
Kalin Johnson then hit a sacrifice fly to left to score
Sheridan VanHoose for the first unearned run.
The Grizzlies got another run in the top of the fourth inning when
Tyler Hays hit a sacrifice fly to center field to score Quintana before the final run came through when
Taylor Roberts singled to center field to score Mackenize Villareal.
Up to the seventh inning, Murphy faced little traffic on the base paths. That all changed. After a quick strikeout, two singles followed by a 2-run double forced ASU to tighten up. Murphy was bale to get the second out on a fly out before a single scored the third run. Murphy then walked two runners to load the bases before the final strikeout earned Murphy her first win of the season. She is now 1-4.
In the opening game, the Rangers scored in all four innings that they were at the plate incluidng three home runs, one in the second, third and fourth.
Madisen Vrabel started the game asd was credited with the loss as she pithced just two-thirds of an inning and gave up two runs on one hit and four walks. Robers came in for relief but she gave up 8 runs on nine hits and one walk during her 3.1 innings of work.
The Grizzlies will open up the home and Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference portion of the season next week when they host Black Hills State University with a four-game series starting on Saturday with a doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m.
