Hobbs, N.M. - Adams State Baseball (0-9) traveled to southern New Mexico this weekend to take on the University of the Southwest (6-5) in a four game series. The first of the two games played on Friday took place at 12 p.m. Game one was a close one with Adams State falling short in a final score of 5-3.
The Grizzlies struck first with leadoff hitter Jake Angelopulos getting a single up the middle. He was then drove in by the three-hole hitter Nico Nintze smoking a double to right field. The game progressed along quickly after that as the Grizzlies were able to get men on base in every inning except the second but did not capitalize on their opportunities.
The Mustangs got on the board in the fifth inning with two runs off a single by Jacob Harris but despite the hot start to the inning they were not able to bring any more runs across in the fifth. The bottom of the sixth saw a pitching change for the Grizzlies as Kolton Bleggi came into pitch, unfortunately that move did not work out for Adams State as Othon Delacruz reached base on an error and Micah Tambur doubled to left to drive in two more runs, increasing the lead to 4-1. After a John Magruder single to short drove in one more run Bleggi was able to get out of the inning but the damage had been done with three runs being scored.
The top of the seventh saw the Grizzlies attempt a furious comeback with the first three Grizzly hitters reaching base which set up an Erik Hildebrandt sac fly to left field. Nico Nintze continued his hot day by sending a single to left field to drive in another run. The game ended there as the next two batters were not able to reach base and the game ended 5-3.
JJ Kruzel got the win for the Mustangs and Daniel Brennan took the loss for the Grizzlies.
On offense Nico Nintze led the way for the Grizzlies with two hits and two RBI. Erik Hildebrandt had a hit, an RBI and a stolen base for Adams State as well. On the mound Daniel Brennan had 5.0 innings pitched and 6 strikeouts and only allowed four hits in a solid performance for the Grizzlies.
The Mustangs were led by Micah Tambur who had a two RBI double and Jacob Harris who also drove in two runs off of one hit. JJ Kruzel went nearly the entire way as he hurled 6.1 innings with 4 SO and 3 ER to secure the win for his team.
Game two was an exciting look into what the Grizzlies are capable of on offense this year, scoring 11 runs off only 10 hits but poor defense and messy late game pitching cost them this win as well, as University of the Southwest scored ten runs in the last two innings to steal the game away 12-11.
The Grizzlies jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first inning as the Mustangs committed two errors which left men on first and third when Paul Giglio came to the plate. Giglio delivered hitting a double to left field driving in both runners. Orlando Romero followed that up with another double to drive in the third run of the inning.
The top of the third brought more scoring for the Grizzlies as Erik Hildebrandt led off the inning with a single up the middle, after another single, Hildebrandt scored on Giglio's sac fly. Orlando Romero came up to the plate and showed everyone his plans to join NASA as he lifted off with a 2-run HR to increase the Grizzlies lead to 6-0.
The top of the fourth saw a new pitcher for the Mustangs as Ezra Acotsa came in to relieve Whitaker. The Grizzlies greeted the new arm by getting three straight runners on with one out, Angelopulos scored on a Nintze single which was the only scoring of the inning but brought the lead to 7-0 for Adams State.
The Mustangs woke up offensively in the fifth inning and the Grizzlies defense fell asleep as the Mustangs were able to score two runs off of two errors made by Adams State. Jacob Harris and Ben Tingen both had RBI singles to get the Mustangs on the board.
The sixth inning brought plenty of scoring from both teams as the Grizzlies started off with some two out offense. After the first two Grizzlies failed to get on Angelopulos singled, Hildebrandt walked, and Nintze singled to drive in the first run of the inning. With two runners on Logan Bistrup headed to plate and proceeded to hammer a 3-run homerun to left field as an exclamation point for the offense.
Not to be outdone the Mustangs responded with four runs of their own in the bottom of the sixth. The inning stared with a new pitcher for the Grizzlies as Dominic Lomeli came into the game and got two quick outs around a pair of walks, Ben Tingen then extended the inning off a misplayed grounder from Dakota Solis. With the bases loaded Lomeli walked Tariq Levesque to bring in the first run of the inning. Orlando Romero came into pitch for Adams State and the first batter he faced was Bobby Galindo who hit a bases clearing double to score three runs. Score now 11-6 Grizzlies.
The seventh inning saw the Mustangs score six more runs and put the Grizzlies away. After another run was walked in by Romero, Chance Strand was brought in by manager James Capra. Strand struck out the first batter he faced but then walked Galindo which scored Chris Garcia, followed up by a wild pitch which scored Harris. A single off the bat of Othan Delacruz brought in the fourth run of the inning. Trent Hughes came into pitch for the Grizzlies and EJ Rendon singled to center driving in two runs and walking off on the Grizzlies.
Dionisio Diaz got the win for the Mustangs and Chance Strand took the loss for the Grizzlies.
The top of the batting order was firing on all cylinders for Adams State as Logan Bistrup, Paul Giglio and Orlando Romero all had three RBI. Bistrup and Romero both went yard for the Grizzlies. Nico Nintze had two hits and two RBI and Erik Hildebrandt had two hits and scored three runs. On the mound Troy Gutbub threw 5.0 innings of two run baseball along with five strikeouts for the Grizzlies.
On offense for the Mustangs Bobby Galindo had four RBI on two hits and both Ben Tingen and EJ Rendon had two RBI, Rendon's were the game winners. Dionisio Diaz threw 1.0 inning and had three Ks to get the win for the Mustangs.
The Grizzlies and Mustangs will play another doubleheader series tomorrow afternoon, Feb. 16. First pitch for game one is set for 12 p.m.
