ALAMOSA, Colo. - Adams State Baseball opened up its final home series of the 2019 season Thursday afternoon in a nine-inning contest against New Mexico Highlands. The Grizzlies used a mid-game rally scoring seven runs to secure a 10-9 win to start the series.

The Cowboys (16-31, 9-24 RMAC) scored the game's first run in the top of the first with a RBI hit through the left side with two outs. The Grizzlies (9-38, 6-27 RMAC) managed to get two runners on in the bottom of the frame but both were left stranded.

Starter David Maldonado then found a groove to start the second and worked a 1-2-3 inning to get the defense off the field quickly. Despite his efficiency the Grizzlies managed to get just one runner on base thanks to a field error by second base.

The Cowboys added another run in the top of the second to push their lead to 2-0. A RBI groundout extended their lead before the Grizzlies closed out the top half of the frame.The Grizzlies looked to counter in the bottom of the third but the Cowboys worked a 1-2-3 inning to maintain the shutout lead.

New Mexico Highlands opened up its lead in the top of the fourth with the help of three walks from the Grizzlies. With the bases loaded on two outs, the visitors smacked a grand slam well past center field to grab a commanding 7-0 lead. Following a pitching change by Adams State the team finally managed to get out of the top half of the inning.

The Grizzlies ended their scoring drought in the bottom of the fourth. Billy Ryan got on base thanks to a walk. He made to third on a stand up double from Jake Angelopulos before a RBI sacrifice fly from Orlando Romero to left field scored him for the home team's first run.

After getting the third out, the Cowboys got the run back to push their lead back to seven. A deep single to right field allowed the Cowboys runner to get home from second base. Reliever Kolton Bleggi then forced back-to-back outs to close out the top of the fifth.

The Grizzlies ripped off seven runs in the bottom of the fifth to get back into the contest and tie the game at 8-all. They got back in the game with the help of seven hits and with the help with a pair of Cowboy fielding errors.

Logan Bistrup plated home the first two runs to cut the score to 8-3. He singled up the middle for the two RBI to score Erik Hilderbrandt and Dakota Solis. Ryan made it an 8-4 game with a RBI double to right center which scored Jared Gay.

Romero closed the gap to one-run with laser of shot over the left field fence for the three-run homer. He plated home Ryan and Bistrup to reward them for their efforts. Hildebrandt added the final run of the inning to tie the game on a single to third base that scored Patrick Huffaker who got on from a base hit up the middle.

After a struggle on defense in the last inning, the Cowboys manged to work another three, three down inning to keep the game tied at 8-8. They managed a hit in the top of the sixth but made nothing of it.

Bleggi continued to do work on the hill as he allowed just a walk before closing out the top of the seventh to keep the game tied and fans on the edge of their seats at the ASU Baseball Field. 

Another error from New Mexico Highlands in the bottom of the seventh allowed the Grizzlies to take their first lead of the game. Back-to-back hits from Angelopulos and Romero allowed them to get on before a throwing error from first base scored an unearned run to give the Grizzlies a 9-8 edge. A fielder's choice from Hildebrandt scored the second run of the frame and the Grizzlies were out in front, 10-8, going into the eighth.

A throwing error by Ryan allowed New Mexico Highlands to cut the Adams State lead to one, 10-9. The home team had two outs when a pitching change happened as Jamison Fuentes came in to close out the top of the eighth. He fanned the final batter and helped the Grizzlies maintain their slim one-run lead.

The Cowboys made sure the game stayed within reach as they worked a 1-2-3 bottom of the eighth to keep the game at 10-9. The strong play on defense made no difference though as reliever Daniel Brennan came in to start the ninth and worked a 1-2-3 inning as well to end the game and earn the save.

Romero led the Grizzly bats going 2-3 on the day with four RBI and two runs scored to go along with a home run. Hildebrandt was 2-5 with a run scored and two RBI from the leadoff spot, while Angelopulos also had two hits in four at bats to go along with a run scored. Bleggi picked up the win on the mound in a relief effort to move to 1-4. He fanned two batters in four innings pitched and allowed just two runs. Brennan got the save as he closed out the ninth inning and had two strikeouts in one inning pitched.

Travis Spruiell was just one of two batters multi-hit game for the Cowboys going 2-5 with a run scored. Thomas Wisneski also had two hits in four plate appearances and tallied one RBI while scoring two runs. Gaylan Young was just one 1-5 on the day but had a grand slam homer. he racked up five RBI and scored one run. Kyle Bedsole pitched all eight inning for New Mexico Highlands as he fell to 5-8 on the year. he struck out a game-high seven batters in the loss.

The Grizzlies and Cowboys will play a doubleheader on Saturday. Game one first pitch is set for 12 p.m., while game two is expected to start at 3 p.m.