PHOENIX (February 3, 2017) – Adams State University returned to action on Friday to face Arizona Christian University and Providence Christian College at the 4-Him Tournament.

The Grizzlies swept their competition on the day by posting a 2-0 win against ACU followed by a 6-3 victory over PCC.

Arizona Christian
The Grizzlies picked up their first win of the season Friday morning against host school Arizona Christian University. In the 2-0 shutout win, starting pitcher Josh Keaton (1-0) silenced the Arizona Christian bats. In 4.0 innings, Keaton fanned five batters while giving up just three hits. Dylan Sherry came on in relief to begin the fifth and was able to maintain the shutout. In three innings on the mound, Sherry struck out two batters and allowed three hits. With his performance, Sherry picked up his first save of the season.

The Grizzlies broke the scoreless affair in the top of the fourth. After a single up the middle, Evan Weidner quickly advanced to third thanks to back-to-back wild pitches by Arizona Christian. Now on third, Weidner was brought in via a Dylan April RBI sacrifice fly.

Adams State tacked on an insurance run in the seventh as Patrick Huffaker connected for a RBI double to right center. The play scored Erik Hildebrandt who came in to pinch run for April who started the inning with a leadoff single to center field.

Weidner finished the game 2-of-3 at the plate with a run scored. Dustin Kachel went 2-of-2 as April and Huffaker each had a RBI.

Providence Christian College
Bailey Garcia took to the mound Friday afternoon and the Preseason All-RMAC selection began 2017 on a strong note. In 4.0 innings, Garcia kept the Sea Beggars scoreless; allowing only two hits.

Garcia received run support in the third as a RBI sacrifice fly by Thomaslee Mares brought in Huffaker to give ASU a 1-0 lead. Huffaker began the frame with a single up the middle as Kachel also connected for a single in the inning.

A five-run sixth inning gave the Grizzlies a comfortable 6-0 lead over Providence Christian. Adams State batted around the order as 10 players had an at-bat. All five runs came with two outs as Marco Garmendia sent a RBI double down the right field line. Two batters later, Sawyer Morain connected for a three RBI double down the left field line. Morain's base-clearing hit brought Huffaker, Garmendia, and Weidner across home plate. The hit frenzy was capped off by Kachel who tripled to right center to score Erik Hildebrandt.

Providence Christian was able to produce three runs in the bottom of the seventh but it wasn't enough to surpass the Grizzlies who held on for a 6-3 win.

After Bailey (1-0) was pulled, Michael Contreras and David Maldonado came on in relief and kept the Sea Beggars off the scoreboard. The duo combined for 2.0 innings pitched and allowing only one hit.

Weidner concluded the game 2-of-4 with a run scored as Kachel hit 2-of-2 with a RBI. Morain went 1-of-3 with 3 RBI.

The Grizzlies return to the diamond tomorrow against Benedictine University at Mesa for the 4-Him Tournament Championship. The Redhawks enter the matchup with a 3-0 record in tournament play.

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