ALAMOSA, Colo. (April 2, 2017) – It wasn't the start Adams State University envisioned but a dramatic 16-15 game two win over Colorado Christian University gave the Grizzlies (10-18, 4-10 RMAC) a Sunday doubleheader split against the Cougars (9-19, 3-11 RMAC).
Colorado Christian grabbed an 8-4 win in game one before Adams State bested their RMAC foe 16-15 in extra innings during game two.
The four-game series concludes tomorrow with a doubleheader beginning at 11am at the ASU Baseball Field. Live video and stats will be available for fans unable to attend.
Game One (L, 8-4)
The Cougars jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first and tacked on four more runs in the fourth inning to pull away from the Grizzlies.
Adams State got on the board with a run in the third and two more an inning later but it wasn't enough to match Colorado Christian's run production. A Grizzly run in the seventh cut the deficit to 7-4 but the Cougars added another run in the ninth to bring the game to an 8-4 final.
Marco Garmendia paced the offense with a 3-for-5 performance with two RBI. Garmendia picked up an RBI in the third off a single and another RBI in the seventh via a double to left field.
Tony Stanich hit 3-for-4 with a run scored as
Evan Weidner and
Nick Hill each tacked on two hits apiece in defeat.
Daniel Brennan (1-3) picked up the loss in 8.0 innings on the mound with seven runs allowed off nine hits. The redshirt sophomore struck out four batters and walked three off 113 net pitches. With the exception of the first, fourth, and seventh innings, Brennan tallied a total of five 1-2-3 frames.
Game Two (W, 16-15 – 8 inn.)
Fans were greeted with a wild ending in game two as ASU ultimately prevailed, 16-15, in extra innings.
In the scheduled seven inning affair, the two RMAC foes combined for 359 net pitches, 35 hits, 31 runs, and nine extra-base hits.
Momentum pointed towards ASU as the Grizzlies controlled a 10-5 lead through five innings. ASU jumped out early with a five-run first inning followed by three runs in the second. The game's narrative soon changed as CCU tallied a total of 10 runs in the fifth, sixth, and seventh inning to take a 13-11 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh.
The Grizzlies followed through with a two-run frame thanks to RBI knocks from Weidner and Garmendia to force extra innings. The Cougars answered with two runs in the eighth to push ahead 15-13. Once again, the Grizzlies needed a desperate answer in the bottom of the frame to either extend the game or end it.
The Grizzlies quickly loaded the bases with no outs thanks to a
Thomaslee Mares walk, a
Ryne Niemi single, and
Grant Templin reaching base via a CCU error. With the bases juiced,
Nick Hill promptly connected for a two RBI ground-rule double to score Niemi and Mares. Three batters later and now with one out, and ASU runners on the corners, Weidner stepped into the batter's box. The senior lifted a RBI single into right center to give ASU a walk-off win in dramatic fashion.
Weidner finished game two hitting 4-for-5 with three RBI and two runs scored.
Erik Hildebrandt recorded a 3-for-5 day at the plate with a RBI and three runs scored.
Dylan April, Mares, and Niemi also chipped in a multi-hit game. In the win, ASU recorded a single-game high 18 hits and 16 runs.
With the win ASU improves to 3-3 at home.
Mason Munford (1-0) recorded his first win of the season in 2.0 innings of work. The senior battled to the tune of 52 net pitches with four runs allowed off five hits. Starter
Josh Keaton threw 5.1 innings with seven strikeouts and three walks allowed off 94 net pitches.
The four-game series concludes with a Monday doubleheader beginning at 11am.
For any future updates on ASU baseball, stay connected with
www.asugrizzlies.com.
