ALAMOSA, Colo. - Adams State Baseball wrapped up the 2019 season Saturday afternoon with a nine-inning bout against New Mexico Highlands. The Grizzlies battled midway through the game but a scoring surge from the Cowboys help them secure a 20-6 road win.

The Grizzlies (9-41, 6-30 RMAC) got off to a solid start on defense as started Daniel Brennan worked a 1-2-3 inning. Billy Ryan got a base hit in the bottom of the frame but he was left stranded as the Cowboys (19-31, 12-24) defense kept the game scoreless going into the second.

The Cowboys threatened in the top of the second getting two runners from a hit and a hit by pitch but the Grizzlies fielding made sure they were left stranded to keep things scoreless going into the bottom of the frame.

New Mexico Highlands allowed a walk on Eric Sommerfeld in the bottom of the second and he got to second base on a stolen base. Adams State was unable to capitalize as defense made itself the theme through the first two innings of action.

The Cowboys had a chance to get runs on the board in the top of the third as two runners got on from a hit by pitch and a walk, respectively. With one out, both got in scoring position with stolen bases but Brennan then struck out the next two batters to keep the Cowboy runners stranded.

Lucas Webster led off the third by getting on base thanks to a throwing error by New Mexico Highlands. Erik Hildebrandt got hit to second on a sacrifice bunt before Dakota Solis was walked. Billy Ryan was hit by pitch on a full count to load the bases for Jared Gay with one out. He was walked to score the first run in Webster and give the Grizzlies a 1-0 lead. A RBI sacrifice fly from Patrick Huffaker scored Solis and pushed the Grizzlies lead to 2-0 before the inning was ended.

The start of the fourth inning fell in the visitors favor as they got a pair of runners on by a walk and hit by pitch in the first two at bats. They used it to their advantage as field error by the Grizzlies allowed a runner to score and get tow on base. Auggie Francis then delivered a three-run homer to right center field to give the Cowboys a 4-2 lead. They added another four more runs on a pair of singles and a groundout to take an 8-2 lead into the bottom of the fourth.

The Grizzlies countered in the bottom of the inning to get within two runs as they scored four unanswered. A RBI single from Webster plated the Grizzlies first run. Ryan added two more runs with a two RBI double to right center. Huffaker plated the final run of the frame on a deep single to center field for the RBI. Going into the fifth the Grizzlies trailed by just two, 8-6.

The lead jumped back to three for New Mexico Highlands in the top of the fifth as Francis hit two-out RBI double to deep left center to put the visitors in front 9-6. Chance Strand came in for relief with two outs but gave up three earned in his first two at bats as the Cowboys lead grew to six, 12-6.

The Cowboys made sure to stay in front as they forced a 1-2-3 bottom of the fifth inning to keep the score at 10-6 going into the final four innings of play. They added another urn in the top of the sixth on a RBI single through the left side with one out on the field. Reliever Dominic Lomeli came in with two outs and got the third out to close the top of the frame.

A 1-2-3 inning closed out the sixth inning as New Mexico Highlands continued to play well on defense and maintain its seven-run lead on the road. The Cowboys then scored seven runs on five hits in the top of the seventh to hold a commanding 20-6 lead.

The score remained the same through the final two innings as the Cowboys held on for the 14-run win and the 3-1 overall series win.

Ryan led the Grizzly bats going 3-4 with two RBI and a run scored. Huffaker was 1-4 with two RBI as well. Webster went 1-3 with a RBI and two runs scored. Brennan suffered the loss as the started but had a game-high four strikeouts in three innings pitched. Jamison fuentes and Chance Strand also fanned two batters each. 

Francis totaled five RBI on 3-5 hitting and scored three runs to lead the Cowboys. Jared Brown also had five RBI while batting 2-6 and he scored one run. Gaylan Young was 4-6 with three RBI and three runs scored. Sergio Lucero earned the win in a relief effort after pitching 3.1 innings and fanning two batters. Starter Kaleb Whitlock went 3.2 innings and had a game-high four strikeouts.