LUBBOCK, Texas (February 9, 2017) – A walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth from No. 20 Lubbock Christian University sent Adams State University to a 2-1 loss on Thursday evening.

It was a difficult start for the Grizzlies (2-3) who were held scoreless until the eighth. Adams State threatened to score in the top of the first but fell 90 feet short of sending a runner across home plate. Michael Downs and Derek Denovellis singled in the frame as Downs eventually moved to third on a Lubbock Christian (5-0) wild pitch but a strikeout brought the half inning to a close. The Chaparrals made it 1-0 with a RBI groundout in the bottom of the frame.

Downs served as a reliable offensive threat in the game as the senior added a single in the third and fifth to finish with a game-high three hits. Downs' 3-for-4 performance raised his season average to a team-leading .429 through five games.

The Grizzlies advanced runners into scoring position during the third and sixth but offensive woes kept ASU scoreless until the eighth.

A balk, sacrifice bunt, and a LCU error pushed ASU into the scoring column during the eighth to knot the game up at 1-1. Serving as a pinch runner, Nick Hill came in to score via a LCU error with Thomaslee Mares at the plate. Hill entered the game for Denovellis who began the inning with a walk then moved to second on a balk before being replaced. The Grizzlies once again stranded a runner on third with a pair of strike outs.

In the bottom of the ninth, LCU's Jaime Bustamante brought the game to an end with a walk-off solo home run to left.

Starting pitcher Daniel Brennan threw six innings resulting in six strikeouts and a run scored off 104 pitches. Ryan Ferguson (0-2) picked up the loss in two innings on the mound. Ferguson allowed two hits and struck out four batters in relief before giving up the home run in the ninth.

The Grizzlies stranded 12 runners on base and were unable to notch an extra-base hit during the four-game series opener.

The Grizzlies return to the diamond tomorrow for a doubleheader against the Chaparrals. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 1pm MT.

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