ALAMOSA, Colo. (February 22, 2017) – The Adams State University softball team will open the home portion of their 2017 schedule when they host Black Hills State University this weekend in a four-game series. It will mark the beginning of Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action for the Grizzlies. The two teams play doubleheaders on both Saturday and Sunday at the ASU softball field. Saturday game times are 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm while Sunday's games will start at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm.

Last Time Out
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 four-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 two-run double forced ASU to tighten up. Murphy was able 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 on the season.

Scouting The Yellow Jackets
Black Hills State enters this weekend's action with an overall record of 2-6 having lost their last two outings. The Yellow Jackets will open Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play as well. The 2017 quad has only three seniors: Pamela Sakuma (1B/OF), Stefanie Witman (P/DP) and Lauren Lesniak (C/DP). Overall, the Yellow Jackets are a young team with 12 freshmen on the roster. So far this season, they have been averaging 2.4 runs per game while allowing an average 4.75 runs. They have both one shutout victory and were held scoreless once so far this season.

Scouting The Grizzlies
Adams State enters play this weekend with a season record of 1-9, having won their last game against Regis University. This year's Adams State team has some experience with eight Grizzlies playing in their senior season. So far, ASU has averaged 2.4 runs per game, the same as Black Hills State, while allowing nearly nine runs per outing. 

Last Time We Met
The Grizzlies have a pair of wins over Black Hills State in each of the last three seasons. The 2016 season saw ASU take a pair of contests in games played in Golden, Colorado. Black Hills State was last in Alamosa during the 2015 season with Adams State posting 7-3 and 6-1 victories. During the 2015 campaign, the Grizzlies took a pair of games which were played in Silver City, New Mexico. This will be their only regular season meeting this season.

Conference Glance
RMAC                        Overall
Colorado Mesa                       0-0                   7-2  
Colorado Christian                0-0                10-6  
Colorado Mines                      0-0                   3-3
Regis                                        0-0                   8-8
MSU Denver                           0-0                   6-7
CSU-Pueblo                           0-0                   3-5
Chadron State                        0-0                   3-8
New Mexico Highlands        0-0                   3-8
Black Hills State                   0-0                   2-6
UCCS                                       0-0                   1-4
Fort Lewis                                0-0                   1-8
Adams State                          0-0                   1-9
 
Looking Ahead
Following this weekend's four-game series, the Grizzlies will take to the road for the next month. They will play a four-game series at Colorado Mesa University, Colorado State University-Pueblo and New Mexico Highlands University over the next three respective weekends. The next softball games to be played in Alamosa will be against Fort Lewis College on March 25^th and 26^th.
 
Stay Connected
For any updates regarding Adams State athletics stay connected with www.asugrizzlies.com! Updates are also available through the Grizzlies official Twitter (@ASUGrizzlies) and Facebook (/TheAsuGrizzlies) accounts.
 
Team Posters
Fans, team posters are available online at www.asugrizzlies.com. Navigate to the 'Fan Zone' at the top of the ASU home page to find our 'Team Posters' link. Team posters will be updated and added over the course of the year. Hard copies of posters are also available at the ASU athletic office.