ALAMOSA, Colo. – Adams State Baseball is back on the road this week following their home opener. They will travel up to Lakewood Colorado to take on the Colorado Christian Cougars. Both teams are coming off getting swept in their last series and will look to rebound with victories this weekend.
OPPONENT: Colorado Christian Cougars (5-12, 0-4 RMAC)
WHEN: Saturday, March 16 (DH) – 12 p.m. & 3 p.m.
Sunday, March 17 (DH) – 12 p.m. & 3 p.m.
WHERE: Lakewood, Colo. - All Star Park
First Pitch
• Adams State (3-15, 0-4 RMAC) is back on the road after their home opener in last weekend
• Adams State was swept last weekend in a four game series against Dixie State University in their first four RMAC games of the season.
• The Grizzlies will be home next weekend as they take Metro State University in a four game series.
Quick Hits
Adams State Baseball History
• Grizzlies Baseball begins its seventh season as an NCAA sport. The program was re-instituted prior to the 2013 season after a 35 year hiatus.
• Prior to the 2013, Adams State last sponsored baseball in 1976 season when the program was still a member of the NAIA.
• Adams State enjoyed quite a bit of success winning back-to-back RMAC championships in 1973 and 1974.
• The Grizzlies posted the best overall record in the conference in each of the last four years (1973-76) while sponsoring the sport before it was discontinued.
The Capra File
• Head Coach
James Capra has led the Grizzlies Baseball in each of the last six seasons. Coach Capra is a graduate of Adams State (Class of 1980).
• Coach Capra was a member of the 1976 team before it was cut. He also played football for three seasons at Adams State and was a three-year starter at wide receiver.
Last Time Out
• The Grizzlies were not able to keep up with the high power offense of Dixie State as they fell in all four games which featured high scoring games.
• On Friday, Adams State got ahead early but Dixie State mounted a furious comeback in the fifth and sixth innings to take the lead and get the win 15-6.
• The first game on Saturday was a high scoring affair as all the scoring occurred in the middle three innings, with Dixie State staying ahead and winning 20-10. The second game of the day was the closest of the series as Dixie was able to hold Adams State off in the end holding on to the 5-3 win.
• The final game on Sunday was a showcase of offense as Dixie State put up 28 runs and secured the victory 28-9.
Batter Up!
• Offense has not been a problem for the Grizzlies this season so far as they have four hitters sitting above .300
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Nico Nintze continues to be the leader of the offense this season with a .371 batting average and 13 RBI. He has the highest batting average on the team.
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Jared Gay had a great weekend against Dixie State raising his average to .327 on the season and hitting his first three home runs of the season which brings him to the top of the team. He also now has 16 RBI which also leads the team.
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Logan Bistrup is also hitting .339 on the season and
Erik Hildebrandt is hitting .300 on the season to round out a solid top of the lineup for Adams State.
On The Mound
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Troy Gutbub has been the best starter for the Grizzlies, throwing 25.0 innings and striking out 30 batters with a 6.48 ERA, all marks being best on the team.
Road Warriors
• The Grizzlies are one the road for their first 14 games on the road before playing a single game on their home turf. They are back on the road this weekend before returning home
• Adams State will play a total of 30 games on the road this season and 20 games at home.
Scouting Colorado Christian
• The Cougars come into this weekend with a 5-12, 0-4 RMAC record and are coming off losing four games to UCCS last weekend.
• Scotty Ingle is the top hitter for the Cougars as he is hitting .345 on the year
• Joel Manzano is leading the team with two home runs.
• The Cougars have one pitcher with an ERA below four.
• Justin Kiedinger is the ERA leader for the Cougars with a 1.10 ERA in 16.1 innings pitched.
• Connor McCollum is the strikeout leader for the Cougars with 26 strikeouts in 24.0 innings.
Up Next
• The Grizzlies are home next weekend as they will face MSU Denver
• Their will be four games, with one on Friday, a double header on Saturday and one game on Sunday to wrap up the series
• The series opener will have its first pitch on Friday at 3 p.m. First pitch for Saturday's doubleheader are set for 12 p.m. and 3 p.m., respectively. Sunday's game will start at 12 p.m.
