PUEBLO, Colo. (April 7, 2017) – In their first-ever RMAC Pod Series, Adams State University fell to Colorado State University-Pueblo and New Mexico Highlands University.

In their first game of the day, Adams State (10-22, 4-14 RMAC) fell to CSU-Pueblo, 3-0. The day concluded with a 21-10 loss against N.M. Highlands.

The Grizzlies continue the RMAC Pod Series tomorrow at 4pm against N.M. Highlands.

Game One at CSU-Pueblo (L, 3-0)
A pitching battle emerged as Adams State opened their weekend pod series against CSU-Pueblo. Both teams were held hitless until a Michael Downs single in the third.

Starter Josh Keaton kept the ThunderWolves hitless until the fourth when the senior allowed a pair of singles and a walk to load the bases. However, Keaton prevented any run damage with a strikeout and a force out that followed. Keaton continued his strong outing with a 1-2-3 fifth and a hitless sixth frame.

The ThunderWolves broke the scoreless battle in the seventh as three consecutive bunt singles to begin the frame loaded the bases for David Gunther who sent a two RBI single into left field. An error that followed brought another run in but Keaton escaped the inning with a bases loaded strikeout.

Sawyer Morain doubled in the eighth and Dustin Kachel singled in the ninth but ASU was unable to send a runner across home plate to give CSU-Pueblo a 3-0 win.

In defeat, Keaton (3-5) tossed 7.1 innings with 10 strikeouts and three runs allowed off seven hits. The senior compiled 10 ground outs and a fly out during his outing. Keaton finished with three 1-2-3 innings.

Thomaslee Mares accounted for the only other ASU hit with a single to leadoff the fourth.

CSU-Pueblo starting pitcher Kyle Lazcano (5-0) stifled the Grizzlies with a complete game shutout featuring 13 strikeouts and no walks allowed.

Game Two vs. N.M. Highlands (L, 21-10)
A lopsided fifth inning, featuring 14 runs from New Mexico Highlands, sent Adams State to a 21-10 defeat to close action on Friday.

Prior to the start of the fifth, ASU trailed 5-3 as a Garmendia RBI walk in the first inning placed the Grizzlies on the board with Mares later adding RBI singles in the second and fourth.

A Dylan April RBI ground out and an unearned Erik Hildebrandt run in the fifth made it a 19-5 ballgame but the margin was too much for ASU to make matters interesting.
Hildebrandt scored his second, and final, run in the seventh off a balk as Sawyer Morain connected for a two RBI double later in the frame. In the ninth, a Kachel RBI groundout scored Tony Stanich which was followed by a wild pitch to score Morain.

In defeat, Mares went 2-for-2 at the plate with two RBI as Hildebrandt and Patrick Huffaker each went 2-for-3. Morain finished 1-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored.

Daniel Brennan (1-4) earned the starting nod and lasting 4.0 innings on the mound with seven runs allowed off 10 hits. Brennan fanned five batters, walked two, and finished with two wild pitches. Relievers Ryan Ferguson, Bryce Rone, and Ty Gavin also spent time on the mound against the Cowboys.

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