TUCSON, Arizona — In today's opening set of games for the Grizzlies, they split against Minot State University and Emporia State University. Winning the first game today against Minot State, the Grizzlies started their season 1-0 before falling to Emporia State in game 2 of the doubleheader to drop to 1-1. In the Grizzlies opening game they came out on top against Minot State by a score of 5-4 before falling to Emporia State in game 2 by a score of 8-0
Game 1
In the Grizzlies first game of the season against Minot State University the Grizzlies came out on top by a final score of 5-4 after a walk-off walk in the bottom of the tenth inning. The walk-off came from Macs Carrillo who drew the RBI walk to score Ryan Vandever for the Grizzly win.
Recording the win for the Grizzlies was Paul Ruiz who came in the top of the tenth to shut any chance of Minot State taking the lead in the top of tenth by going 1,2,3 with 2 strikeouts in a dominating 1 inning of work. Also, throwing for the Grizzlies today was Joseph Marek, Dylan Schaefer, and Justin Arellano. Marek started the game today throwing 5 innings, allowing 5 hits, 4 earned runs, walking 2, and striking out 3. Marek threw an outstanding start outside of 1 inning where a few free passes led to him allowing 4 runs. Outside of the 4 runs Marek gave up, the Grizzlies allowed no more runs with a dominating performance by their bullpen. For the bullpen Schaefer threw 1 scoreless inning, Arellano threw 3 scoreless, and Ruiz closed the door in the tenth with the final scoreless inning for 5 outstanding innings for the Grizzly bullpen.
Offensively for the Grizzlies they were led by Ayden Tauscher, Seth Reker, and Isaiah Pruitt who all collected multiple hits. Tauscher finished the game 3 for 5, with a double and 1 RBI, while Reker finished 2 for 3 with an RBI, and Pruitt finished the game 2 for 5. Between the three they combined for 7 of the Grizzlies 11 hits, 2 of the 5 runs, and 2 of the 5 RBIs. Alongside these three, was Carrillo who collected the walk-off walk, Ryan Vandever who walked 2 times and was great behind the dish catching for the Grizzlies.
As a team the Grizzlies had a lot of opportunities in today's game as they left 11 runners on base after collecting 18 baserunners. With some more timely hits, the Grizzlies could have absolutely scored more runs, but overall it was an outstanding way for the Grizzlies to start their season with an opening day win.
Game 2
In game 2 of the Grizzlies doubleheader, they struggled offensively and defensively which allowed Emporia State to slowly grow their lead to a final score of 8-0. In game 2 the Grizzlies were only able to collect 5 hits, and 8 baserunners while also missing a few opportunities to make plays defensively that would have halted Emporia State from scoring more runs.
Pitching for the Grizzlies today was Julian Garza, Ethan Bertke, and Osaias Hinojosa. Garza started the game today throwing 4 innings, giving up 4 hits, 3 earned runs, 3 walks, and collecting 1 strikeout. Following Garza was Bertke who had an outstanding first career outing throwing 2 ⅔ innings, giving up 3 hits, 3 runs(2 earned), while collecting 1 strikeout. Bertke's line was not as good as it could have been as two dropped pop ups allowed both earned runs to score, along with the 1 unearned run. Finishing the game for the Grizzlies today was Hinojosa who threw 1 ⅓ innings, allowing 2 hits, 2 earned runs, and 2 walks. Overall, the Grizzlies allowed 9 hits, 8 runs, 7 of which were earned, while giving up 6 walks, and collecting 2 strikeouts.
Offensively for the Grizzlies they were held down throughout by the Emporia State pitching staff. In the game the Grizzlies only collected 5 hits, 2 walks, and 1 hit by pitch for a total of 8 baserunners. Collecting hits for the Grizzlies was Christian Altamirano, Macs Carrillo, Kade Poteet-Herrera, Josh Parks, and Austin Yi. All five individuals collected 1 hit in the game, while Ayden Tauscher collected 1 walk and Poteet-Herrera collected the other walk in today's game. Offensively, the Grizzlies will look to bounce tomorrow as they gear up for two more games to finish their opening weekend series.
Looking towards tomorrow, the Grizzlies will again play in Tucson, Arizona with another doubleheader against Minot State and Emporia State. The Grizzlies opening game tomorrow, January 31st will be against Minot State at 2:30 PM MST. Tomorrow's games will have live stats on the Grizzlies website as they gear up to finish their roadtrip looking to collecting 2 wins to finish the weekend on the winning side before returning home as the weekend wraps up.
