Softball | 4/12/2017 10:00:00 AM

ALAMOSA, Colo. (April 12, 2017) – The Adams State University softball team returns home to host the Colorado Christian University Cougars in a four-game series April 15^th  and 16^th. The two teams will play doubleheaders on both Friday and Saturday at the ASU softball field. Friday game times are 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm while Saturday's games will start at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm. Friday's games will feature the theme "Strike Out Cancer".

Live video will be available for all games, however, live stats will only be available on Friday. Live coverage links for the RMAC tilt can be found above.

Last Time Out
ASU returns home from a series against the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs in which they won three of the four games including a doubleheader sweep on Sunday. They won the first game 11-10 before taking the second game 11-3. The Grizzlies scored six runs off four home runs in the second game for a 6-0 lead through the fourth inning. Marissa Harmon got the train rolling in the top of the second as she homered to right field to score Kaytlyn Johnson before Johnson hit a two-run homer to left field. In the fourth inning Tyler Hays and Cheyenne Hamilton went back-to-back. Adams State manufactured three runs in the top of the fifth for a 9-3 advantage and expanded the lead to 11-3 with two more runs in the sixth. The three runs in the fifth came from Shelby Haskins, who doubled down the right field line to score Jasmine Parker before Paige Reichmuth singled to left field to score Haskins. April Riggins then hit a sacrifice fly to score Alex Quintana. In the sixth, Hanna Wirtjes singled through the right side to score Johnson while Reichmuth singled to score Harmon. UCCS went down in order on seven pitches in the bottom of the sixth as the Grizzlies closed out the series with the run-rule result. Taylor Roberts earned her first win of the season on a complete game showdown. On the weekend, April Riggins was the spark for the Grizzlies as she was 5-of-11 (.455) at the plate. Four of those five at bats were home runs and she had 10 RBI on the weekend. Riggins also drew three walks to help the Grizzlies. Lauren Murphy was the top pitcher for ASU as she won one game and had a 6.72 ERA. During her two games she pitched 8.1 innings and gave up eight runs on nine hits and three walks. She also earned a save with a clutch performance on Sunday and had six strikeouts.

Scouting The Cougars
Colorado Christian enters this weekend's action with an overall record of 23-17 while holding a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference record of 13-11. The Cougars are coming into weekend action having lost their last two outings in a home series against Regis University. The 2017 squad features just one senior, Hayley Novacek, but includes seven sophomores and six juniors. Sophomore Hanna Farmer leads the offense with a .391 batting average. Redshirt freshman Kelsea Sweeney leads the Cougars' pitching staff with a 3.66 ERA and 12-6 record on the season. So far this year, the Cougars are 7-8 on the road.

Scouting The Grizzlies
Adams State enters play this weekend with a season record of 15-23, 14-14 in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play. The Grizzlies enter the series coming off last weekend's series against the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs in which ASU won three of the four games.  They are currently in 7^th place in the conference and will be looking to solidify at least that position for postseason play. Adams' offense is led by Sophomore Tyler Hays with a blistering .500 batting average, second best in the conference. She is followed closely by senior Marissa Harmon with a .398 average. Adams State has compiled a 8-4 record when playing at home this season.

Last Time We Met
This will be the only regular season meeting between these two teams. Over the past three seasons Adams State has a record of 7-3 against Colorado Christian University. The Grizzlies won three of four games last year in Lakewood, while splitting the four games in Alamosa during the 2015 season. They played two games at a neutral site in 2014 with the Grizzlies winning both.

Conference Glance
RMAC                        Overall
Colorado Mesa                     25-2                32-4   
MSU Denver                         21-7                29-14 
Colorado Mines                    19-9                22-12 
Chadron State                      18-9                21-17 
Colorado Christian            13-11              23-17 
Regis                                      15-13              23-21 
Adams State                        14-14              15-23 
New Mexico Highlands      12-16              15-26 
CSU-Pueblo                         11-17              14-22 
UCCS                                     8-20                9-24   
Fort Lewis                              4-24                5-32   
Black Hills State                   3-21                5-27
 
Looking Ahead
Following this weekend's four game series, the Grizzlies take to the road for a four-game series against Chadron State University in Chadron, Nebraska. Then Adams State returns home to conclude the regular season with a four game series again Metropolitan State University of Denver on April 29^th and 30^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.