ALAMOSA, Colo. (May 6, 2017) – The bats remained busy for Adams State University during Saturday's senior day against Colorado State University-Pueblo.
The Grizzlies compiled a doubleheader total of 27 hits, 18 runs, and 11 extra-base hits while ultimately splitting the twinbill against the ThunderWolves.
The ThunderWolves (22-24, 16-17 RMAC) took game one, 11-8, but the Grizzlies (13-32, 7-24 RMAC) stole game two, 10-9, thanks to late inning magic.
Game One (L, 11-8)
CSU-Pueblo took a 5-0 lead midway through the third inning but a pair of runs from ASU in the bottom of the frame sparked the offense. In the fourth
Tyler Bybee's RBI double and
Nick Hill's RBI single inched the Grizzlies closer at 5-4.
However, the ThunderWolves added six runs over the next three innings to remain on top. The Grizzlies did their best to keep pace with a run in the fifth followed by a three-run sixth that featured a
Evan Weidner RBI triple and a
Marco Garmendia two RBI home run.
The ThunderWolves posted another run in the seventh to push the game to its final score of 11-8.
Bybee, Weidner, Garmendia,
Thomaslee Mares, and Hill provided production in the middle of the lineup as each player notched two hits apiece in Saturday's opener. Garmendia and Hill both finished with two RBI.
Ryan Ferguson (1-4) picked up the loss after tossing 4.1 innings with 87 net pitches to his name. Ferguson allowed six runs off nine hits while striking out two batters.
Game Two (W, 10-9)
After ASU scored three in the first inning, the ThunderWolves answered with five runs in the third to take a 5-3 lead. The lead swung back in ASU's favor in the bottom of the third as
Ryne Niemi and
Dustin Kachel came through with RBI hits.
Derek Denovellis also posted a RBI sacrifice fly.
ASU's 6-5 lead did not last long as CSU-Pueblo responded with a three-run fourth to push ahead once again, 8-6.
The Grizzlies brought a run in during the fifth to tighten their deficit to 8-7. However, CSU-Pueblo added a run in the sixth to move the score to 9-7.
Adams State went on to score three runs in the bottom of the sixth to take a 10-9 lead. All runs came with two outs as Mares and Niemi posted back-to-back RBI doubles to knot the game at 9-9. The winning run was scored with Denovellis at the plate as the senior reached base via an error which scored Niemi from second.
Beau Lofink took to the mound in the seventh and after allowing a leadoff single he forced three consecutive outs to end the game with ASU on top, 10-9.
Mares had a perfect day at the plate, going 4-for-4 with three runs scored and a RBI. Niemi went 3-for-4 with three RBI and three runs scored. Weidner posted a 2-for-4 game with two runs scored as Denovellis added a hit and two RBI.
Chance Ward (1-2) picked up the win in relief and pitched 2.1 innings with one run scored off three hits. Lofink (S, 1) earned the save with his appearance in the seventh.
The series concludes on Sunday at 12pm from the ASU Baseball Field.
For any future updates on ASU baseball, stay connected with
www.asugrizzlies.com.
