ALAMOSA, Colorado — In a Saturday doubleheader against New Mexico Highlands, the Grizzlies complete the three game sweep by winning both games. In game one the Grizzlies won 7-3, and in game two the Grizzlies won 6-3. The two wins moves the Grizzlies to a record of 5-13 as they finished up their nonconference schedule and they gear up for RMAC conference play to begin this upcoming weekend.
Game One
In game one the Grizzlies played a back and forth game through the first 5 innings as both the Grizzlies starter and Cowboys starter threw outstanding to begin the game. Through the first 5 innings the only runs that were scored were 2 unearned runs by the Grizzlies in the second inning. After the second inning neither team scored until the sixth inning when the Cowboys scored 3 to take a 3-2 to lead. The Cowboys lead did not last as the Grizzlies responded immediately in the bottom of the sixth inning with 5 runs of their own to take a 7-3 lead going into the top of the seventh inning. In the seventh inning the Grizzlies were able to close the game going 1,2,3 to finish the game and take game one by a final score of 7-3.
Starting the game for the Grizzlies and having an outstanding start was Freshman Jacob Janata who finished the day throwing 5 ⅓ innings before being relieved in the sixth. For Janata, he finished with a final line of 5 ⅓ innings, allowing 6 hits, 3 runs, walking 2, and striking out 3. Following Janata was Daniel Hoodak who threw the final 1 ⅔ innings of the game to collect the win. Hoodak's final line was 1 ⅔ innings, allowing 1 hit, no runs, while collecting 2 strikeouts. Overall, the Grizzlies pitched extremely well only allowing 7 hits, 3 runs, while collecting 5 strikeouts over the 7 inning ball game.
Offensively for the Grizzlies, they were led by Christian Altamirano, Ayden Tauscher, Josh Parks, and Gunner Martinez. Between these four men, they collected all 5 of the Grizzlies RBIs, while collecting 7 hits, and scoring 2 runs. Also scoring in game one was Austin Yi, Macs Carrillo, and Osaias Hinojosa. Yi scored once while both Carrillo and Hinojosa scored 2 runs in the Grizzly win.
Overall, game one was an outstanding team win as a multitude of Grizzlies contributed to today's win.
Game Two
Game two was very similar to game one as both starters again threw extremely well to start the game with neither team scoring through the first three innings. After the third, the Cowboys got the scoring rolling, scoring 2 in the fourth and 1 in the fifth to give New Mexico Highlands a 3-0 lead going into the sixth inning. After the top of the sixth inning when the Grizzlies were able to stop the Cowboys from scoring for a third straight inning the Grizzly offense woke up scoring 6 runs in the sixth to take a 6-3 lead. Once the Grizzlies took the lead, Justin Arellano was able to close out today's game facing 4 batters in the top of the seventh, retiring 3 of the 4 batters collecting the final three outs of the game.
Starting the game for the Grizzlies was Junior, Left-Hander, Julian Garza. Garza had one of his best appearances of the year going 5 complete innings, only surrendering 5 hits, 3 runs, while collecting 2 strikeouts. Following Garza, was Arellano who closed out the game for the Grizzlies throwing 2 scoreless innings, only allowing 2 hits over his 2 innings of work. Arellano collected the win in today's second game moving his record to 1-2 on the young season.
Offensively for the Grizzlies they were led by Josh Parks, Seth Reker, and Gunner Martinez. The three men collected 5 of the Grizzlies 6 RBIs, while collecting 4 hits, and scoring 3 runs. Also collecting an RBI was Freshman Osaias Hinojosa who collected a sac fly in the sixth inning giving the Grizzlies their third run of the inning before Martinez had the huge hit for the Grizzlies hitting a 3-run home run to give the Grizzlies their 6-3 lead. Martinez's home run was his first of the season and ultimately was the deciding factor in today's game two win for the Grizzlies.
Next up for the Grizzlies, will be their first RMAC conference match up against Colorado School of Mines. The series will begin next Friday, March 6th, at 4 PM MST. Colorado School of Mines will be the host of the four game series against the Grizzlies, in Golden, Colorado. For the Grizzlies, they will look to continue their outstanding play as they look to not only continue their winning streak, but also by starting conference play out with a bang by getting a road series win.
