Alamosa, Colo. – The Adams State Grizzlies opened their four-game weekend series against New Mexico Highlands on Sunday afternoon with a home doubleheader at the ASU Softball Field. Despite a determined effort, the Grizzlies dropped both contests to a strong Cowgirls squad, who came away with a 7-0 victory in game one and followed it up with a 21-2 win in game two.
Game One: New Mexico Highlands 7, Adams State 0
The opening game of the series began on a promising note for the Grizzlies, as they held the Cowgirls scoreless through the first two innings thanks to solid pitching and alert defense. However, New Mexico Highlands found their rhythm in the third, pushing across a run to take the lead. The Cowgirls continued to apply pressure, adding two runs in the fourth inning, followed by one in the fifth and three more in the sixth to seal the win.
Defensively, Adams State showed flashes of potential but was ultimately hindered by three costly errors, which allowed the Cowgirls to extend innings and capitalize on extra opportunities. While the Grizzlies worked to build momentum at the plate, they were unable to string together enough offense to break through the Cowgirls' pitching.
Game Two: New Mexico Highlands 21, Adams State 2
Much like the series opener, game two began with a tight defensive battle. The Grizzlies once again held their ground early, keeping the Cowgirls off the scoreboard through the first four innings. Adams State showed early signs of offensive life, plating a run in both the third and fourth innings to briefly take the lead and energize the home dugout.
However, the momentum quickly shifted in the fifth inning. The Cowgirls erupted for nine runs in the frame, capitalizing on a combination of timely hitting and defensive miscues by the Grizzlies. Adams State responded with a three-run effort of their own in the bottom half, attempting to claw back into the contest, but it would prove to be their final offensive push of the game.
New Mexico Highlands added two more runs in the sixth to stretch their lead even further, and a massive 10-run seventh inning ultimately put the game out of reach. The Grizzlies were once again plagued by defensive struggles, committing three errors that gave the Cowgirls additional chances to extend innings and add to their scoring total.
Despite the lopsided final score, the Grizzlies showed flashes of fight throughout the contest—particularly in the early innings—but were unable to contain the Highlands offense as the game wore on.
The Grizzlies will return to the diamond on Monday morning for the final two games of the series, with first pitch scheduled for 11 a.m. at the ASU Softball Field.
