ALAMOSA, Colo. (March 19, 2017) – Evan Weidner and Thomaslee Mares both hit 3-for-4 as Marco Garmendia produced a team-high three RBI for Adams State University during a 12-9 Sunday loss against the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS).

With the loss, the Grizzlies (8-14, 2-6 RMAC) split their four-game series with the Mountain Lions (12-11, 7-5 RMAC).

UCCS opened the game with two runs in the top of the first but the Grizzlies left the frame with a 4-2 lead. In the bottom half of the first, Dustin Kachel sent the first pitch he saw over the left center fence for a leadoff home run. Mares followed with a RBI single to knot the game, 2-2, as Weidner made it 3-2 after scoring on a UCCS error. Dylan April pushed the final run of the inning across with a RBI sacrifice fly to left field.

Two UCCS runs in the top of the second tied the game at 4-4 as starting pitcher Dylan Sherry saw his outing come to a close after allowing the two runs. Beau Lofink came on in relief and brought an end to the frame with a groundout. Lofink tossed 3.1 innings in his relief appearance; allowing two runs off two hits.

The Mountain Lions broke the tie with a run in the fourth and another in the fifth. Trailing 6-4, the Grizzlies reclaimed the lead with three runs in the bottom of the fifth.
Garmendia belted a two RBI triple into left center to score Mares and Weidner as Ryne Niemi immediately followed with a RBI double to score Garmendia and give Adams State a 7-6 advantage.

UCCS responded with a three-run top of the sixth against ASU reliever Adam Molina (0-1). UCCS scored three runs off two hits as ASU allowed three consecutive walks to aid the Mountain Lions. Molina was unable to complete the inning and was pulled for Mason Munford who ultimately closed out the game after entering in the middle of the sixth. Munford tossed 4.0 innings with six hits and three runs allowed off 68 net pitches.

A Garmendia sacrifice fly RBI in the bottom of the sixth cut the ASU deficit to 9-8 but UCCS posted three more runs in the seventh to pull away, 12-8.

The stage was set in the bottom of the ninth for a comeback as a Michael Downs single loaded the bases with no outs. After Downs' hit, Nick Hill hit into a 6-4-3 double play. The double play scored Niemi but a ground out that followed by Dustin Kachel ended the game in a 12-9 defeat.

In the loss, Adams State produced a pair of doubles, a triple, and a home run.

The Grizzlies return to the diamond for a four-game road series at Metropolitan State University of Denver beginning March 24^th. First pitch of game one is set for 6pm.

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