ALAMOSA, Colo. – Adams State Softball split their first two games of their four-game series with Black Hills State. The Grizzlies fell to the Yellow Jackets 5-3 in their first game, then came out on top 6-4 the second. Adams State is now 4-18 overall, and 4-6 in RMAC competition.
The Grizzlies had a promising start to game one, when they were the first ones to find the board. In the bottom of the first started with a leadoff walk to Angel Mucciulli.
Mercedes Salazar laid down a solid bunt, advancing Mucciulli to second. Sarah Roca came up with a sacrifice bunt, advancing both Mucciulli and Salazar up a bag.
Sarah Hansen reached on a throwing error, which scored Mucciulli and Salazer, putting the Grizzlies up 2-0 in the bottom of the first one, two, three, top of the first.
After a scoreless second, Rocha of Adams State reached on a fielding error by Yellow Jackets left fielder, then advanced all the way home, putting the Grizzlies up 3-0 in the bottom of the third.
Black Hills State did not answer until the top of the fifth, where they tied the game at 3. With batters on first and second, Yellow Jacket, Brittany Henricksen singled to center field, which scored one. Bryce Henricksen singled to center field, clearing the rest of the bases, tying the game at three all.
The Yellow Jackets took the lead in the top of the seventh. After a base clearing single, Black Hills State lead the Grizzlies 5-2. Adams State did not come up with an answer in the bottom half of the seventh.
Black Hills State scored their five runs on six hits; as the Grizzlies scored their three runs on three hits.
Mercedes Salazar lead the Grizzlies with two hits in the game, and one run scored.
Jade Garbiso pitched six of the seven innings played, with six strikeouts.
In the second game,
Taylor Sandoval was a star player for the Grizzlies. She pitched a full seven innings, and had four strikeouts on the day.
The Yellow Jackets stared the game hot with three singles in the top of the first. Maddi Fidler reached on an error by the Grizzlies, scoring one. The Grizzlies quickly responded with a leadoff triple from Micciulli. After a walk from Salazar, Rocha singled up the middle to score Micciulli.
Shelby Haskins followed with another single to score Salazar, putting Adams State up 2-1 in the bottom of the first.
After another scoreless second inning, Black Hills State tied it back at two from a single through the left side, and then scoring on a Grizzly error. In the bottom of the third, Salazar reached on a base hit, then Rocha hit a double to bring her home. The double put the Grizzlies back up again 3-2 going into the fourth.
Black Hills State tied it up once again in the top of the fifth. The Yellow Jackets found themselves a double, then drove in their third run from deep single to right center field. In the bottom of the fifth,
Zoe Munn hit a huge double to score Rocha, taking the lead back, 4-3.
The final tallies of the game came in the sixth inning. In the first half of the block, the Yellow Jackets got on from another double, then drove in their final run from a base hit; tying the game for the final time 4-4.
The Grizzlies hit big in the bottom of the sixth, scoring their winning two runs.
Baylie Fryar lead the inning with a base hit to left center.
Samantha McDonald came in to run for Fryar, which she was brought home from a double by Micciulli. Rocha had another big single for the day to score Micciulli, giving the Grizzlies the 6-4 lead in the bottom of the sixth.
Only giving up one hit in the top of the seventh, Adams State got their fourth win of the season, 6-4 over the Yellow Jackets. Rocha lead the Grizzlies, going 3-3 at the plate, and brought in three of the six runs. Adams State scored their six runs on 10 hits, and Black Hills State scored their four runs on 12 hits.
The Grizzlies will make their way back out to the diamond tomorrow to close out the series with Black Hills State. The game times are set for 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 10.
