ALAMOSA, Colorado — In game one of the Grizzlies four-game series against University Colorado, Colorado Springs; the Grizzlies drop game one by a final score of 8-7. The close loss for the Grizzlies puts them at a record of 10-17(5-4 RMAC) going into tomorrow's doubleheader against UCCS.
In today's game one, the Grizzlies played a hard fought back and forth game against UCCS that ended in the final score of 8-7. Looking into the scoring by both teams, UCCS got things going with two solo home runs in the first two innings. The Grizzlies were able to respond immediately after Josh Parks hit a 2-run home run, tying the game 2-2. After the second inning, the scoring by both teams was put on hold until the fifth inning. In the fifth inning, the scoring really opened up with UCCS scoring five and the Grizzlies scoring two. For the Grizzlies, they scored their two runs with an RBI double by Osaias Hinojosa, and an RBI single by Isaiah Pruitt. After the fifth inning, the score was 7-4 going into the final four innings of the game.
The final four innings were intensely close as the Grizzlies were able to tie up the game with an RBI double by Austin Yi, a sacrifice fly by Ayden Tauscher, and an RBI double by Osaias Hinojosa. Unfortunately for the Grizzlies, UCCS was able to respond after the Grizzlies tied things at 7-7 with an RBI double of their own in the top of the seventh. The UCCS double in the seventh was the final touch on today's game as the Grizzlies put up a great fight in the final three innings but were never able to get that final hit to score the tying run.
The ultimate difference in today's game was the Grizzlies inability to score runners once they reached base. On the day, Adams State left eleven base runners on, which was huge in such a close game. Outside of the Grizzlies inability to score runners on base, the Grizzly offense did an outstanding job collecting hits and getting base runners on. Overall, the Grizzlies collected 18 hits and walked twice for a total of 20 base runners.
Leading the way on the offensive side was Christian Altamirano, Osaias Hinojosa, Josh Parks, Isaiah Pruitt, and Gunner Martinez. All five men collected two or more hits while collecting 14 total hits, scoring five runs, and collecting 5 RBIs. Individually, Martinez finished 4 for 5 while scoring a run; Pruitt finished 3 for 5 with an RBI; Parks finished 2 for 5 with a home run, a run scored, and 2 RBIs; Hinojosa finished 3 for 5 with two doubles, two runs scored, and 2 RBIs; and Altamirano finished 2 for 3 with a double, two walks, and a run scored. Overall, these five individuals led the way for a Grizzly offense that has been on a tear as of late.
On the mound for the Grizzlies was Osaias Hinojosa who went 5 innings while allowing 11 hits, 7 runs, walking 1, and collecting 5 strikeouts. Following Hinojosa was Austin Delgado, Ethan Bertke, and Daniel Hoodak who combined for 4 innings out of the bullpen in which they only allowed 5 hits and 1 run. This outstanding effort from the bullpen gave the Grizzlies a great opportunity to come back in today's game. Unfortunately, the Grizzlies fell just short but put up an incredible fight which they can carry into tomorrow's doubleheader.
Looking towards tomorrow's doubleheader against UCCS, the Grizzlies will play their first game at 12 PM MST with the second game following 30 minutes after the finish of game one. Tomorrow's game will again be in Alamosa, Colorado with the Grizzlies trying to bounce back after a tough game one loss. Come out and support the Grizzlies tomorrow as they look to take a series lead by taking two games tomorrow afternoon.
