ST. GEORGE, Utah – Adams State Softball played two more games on Monday afternoon, the first being against Colorado Christian and the second one being against Dixie State to wrap up the road trip. The Grizzlies (0-16) lost a heartbreaker to the Colorado Christian Cougars (9-6) after being up a run going into the last half inning the Grizzlies gave up nine runs in the bottom of the sixth to lose 10-2.
The second game of the day against Dixie State (9-2) was more of the same as the Grizzlies were within two runs by the last inning but proceeded to allow nine run across in the bottom of the sixth.
The first game of the day started off quick for Colorado Christian as they scored in the bottom of the first after holding the Grizzlies to a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the first. Stephanie Day reached on a dropped fly ball with two outs to bring in the first run of the game.
Both pitchers were throwing the ball well as after that hiccup in the first, both teams remained scoreless until the top of the sixth inning, with only six hits among the two teams up until that point. Both teams threatened to score in the fourth inning with the Cougars getting a runner to third but a fly-out ended the threat. Adams State got a runner on second and third with two outs but weren't able to capitalize as Baylie Fryar was flew out to left field.
The sixth inning saw and outburst of offense as the Grizzlies got started with two runners getting into scoring position, again with two outs. The outcome was different this time though as Sarah Hansen reached on an error driving in both Rebecca Wood and Breanna Shaffer to make the score 2-1 in favor of the Grizzlies.
The Cougars also started the sixth inning with two runners in scoring position when Caitlin McCarthy in as a pinch hitter smoked a single to left field to bring in Shelby Fusich and Megan Gordon. Alex Garlock then scored on a wild pitch for the third run of the inning. Stephanie Day brought in the next two runs with a single through the left side. Charlotte Romero and Shelby Fusich followed up with singles as well to bring in two more runs before Alex Garlock then doubled to center bringing in two more runs and bringing the game to an end.
On offense, Angel Micciulli, Sarah Rocha, and Kenzie Lange all had base hits with Rocha's being a double. Brittany Phillips dropped to (0-4) on the season even while only allowing two earned runs in 5.1 innings pitched with a strikeout.
Shelby Fusich and Stephanie Day had an impressive afternoon for the Cougars as Fusich had three hits and an RBI and Day had one hit with two RBI. Alex Garlock and Caitlin McCarthy also had two RBI after coming in late in the game. Jennifer Romero threw the entire game allowing zero earned runs with eight strikeouts to move to (3-1) on the season.
The second game of the day started in a similar fashion to the first as Dixie State scored in the bottom of the first after holding the Grizzlies to a three up, three down top of the first inning. Dani Bartholf started the scoring for the Trailblazers with a sacrifice fly bringing Brenna Cornwall across to score.
Both teams stayed scoreless until the bottom of the fourth when the Trailblazers brought two more runs home thanks to the bat of pinch hitter Ashley Jones who hit a single through the left side bringing in Taylor Godfrey and Dani Bartholf and increasing the lead to 3-0.
The top of the sixth was when the Grizzlies were finally able to get on the board thanks to a Jade Garbiso single to the shortstop bringing in Jasmine Parker and getting the Grizzlies within two runs. That is as close as Adams State would get as the Trailblazers would put up six runs in the next inning.
After getting two runners on to start the inning Brenna Cornwall reached on a fielder's choice bringing in the first run of the inning. Jessica Gonzalez followed that up with a two RBI single through the left side. After the fifth run of the inning came in on a throwing error by the shortstop. Kori Gahn drove in the last two runs of the game on a double to left field, bringing an end to the Grizzlies hopes as the game ended on the run-ahead rule.
For the Grizzlies Jade Garbiso brought in the only run of the game, while Sarah Rocha, Samantha McDonald, Zoe Munn and Jasmine Parker all had base hits for Adams State. Jade Garbiso fell to (0-9) on the season after throwing 5.2 innings with one strikeout and only three earned runs.
Dixie State was led by a trio of hitters, Jessica Gonzalez, Kori Gahn and Ashley Jones all had two RBI. Malory Eldredge had two hits as well to help fuel the Trailblazer offense. Cambrie Hazel threw 6.0 innings to bring her record to (3-1) on the season. She only allowed one run while striking out five Grizzly hitters.
Adams State is home next weekend to take on Fort Lewis College in a four game series on Saturday March 2, and Sunday March 3. It will be the Grizzlies first home games of the season.
