ALAMOSA, Colorado — On Thursday afternoon, the Grizzlies fell just short against Colorado Mesa in game one of their four-game series. The final score of game one was 10-8 for Colorado Mesa. With the loss, the Grizzlies are now 10-25 (5-12 RMAC) as they gear up for their doubleheader against Colorado Mesa tomorrow afternoon.
In today's game between Colorado Mesa and Adams State it was tremendously close as the game was tied 2-2 through the first four innings. Mesa scored two in the 2nd inning, while the Grizzlies scored their two in the 4th with a 2-run home run from Isaiah Pruitt. After the fourth inning, the Mesa offense got on a role as they were able to score six runs to take an 8-2 lead. Unfortunately for the Grizzlies, they had a couple free passes and an error that gave the Mesa offense the opportunity to jump out to their six run lead. Following the six run inning by the Mavericks, the Grizzlies did an outstanding job fighting back as they scored one run in the 5th inning and four runs in the 7th inning to make the game 8-7 going into the 8th. Neither team scored in the 8th inning taking the close game to the final inning which ultimately was the deciding factor in today's game. In the top of the 9th inning the Mavericks added two runs on a 2-run home run and the Grizzlies added one of their own in the bottom of the 9th inning to make the score its final score of 10-8. In the 9th, the Grizzlies did a great job fighting back again as they were able to get the game-tying run to second base with just 1 out. Unfortunately, the Mesa closer was able to get two huge strikeouts that closed the door on the Grizzly comeback.
For the Grizzlies, they scored their runs with an RBI double by Josh Parks in the 5th; a 2-run triple by Ayden Tauscher; an RBI double by Osaias Hinojosa; an RBI single by Seth Reker; and an RBI double by Reker again. Unfortunately for the Grizzlies, the 2-run home run Colorado Mesa hit in the top of the 9th was the deciding factor. Without the home run, the Grizzlies would have been able to tie the game in the bottom of the 9th to move the game to extras, but that one swing of the bat by the Mavericks ended up giving them the win in today's game.
Individually for the Grizzlies, they were led on the mound by Julian Garza, Connor Kerns, and Justin Arellano. For Garza, he had a better start than his final line as one inning where he gave up 6 runs(5 earned) changed his entire outing. Through 4 innings he only allowed 2 runs to one of the best offenses in the conference. His final line was 5 innings, 10 hits, 8 runs(7 earned), 3 walks, and 3 strikeouts. Following Garza was Kerns who had his best appearance in a Grizzly uniform. Kerns finished the day throwing 3 scoreless innings, allowing 2 hits, walking 3, and striking out 2. Throwing the final inning was Arellano who finished throwing 1 inning, allowing 1 hit, 2 runs, and 2 walks. Overall, the Grizzlies did a good job limiting a great Mesa offense. The only place they could have been better is with the free passes as they walked 8 and hit 3 for 11 free passes on the day.
On the offensive side, the Grizzlies were led by Macs Carrillo, Ayden Tauscher, Osaias Hinojosa, Josh Parks, Isaiah Pruitt, and Seth Reker. For Carrillo, Tauscher, Parks, Pruitt, and Reker they all finished with 2 or more hits with Carrillo and Reker leading the way with 3 hits each. Diving into each individual performance, Carrillo finished the day 3 for 4 with a walk, a double, and a run scored; Tauscher finished 2 for 5 with a triple, 2 runs scored, and 2 RBIs; Hinojosa finished 1 for 2 with 2 walks, 2 runs scored, and a run scored; Parks finished 2 for 5 with a double, an RBI, and a run scored; Pruitt finished 2 for 5 with a home run, a run scored, and 2 RBIs; and Reker finished 3 for 5 with a double and 2 RBIs. Overall, these 6 individuals collected all 13 hits for the Grizzlies while scoring 7 of the Grizzlies 8 runs.
The Grizzlies will play their next game tomorrow, as they will have two more games against Colorado Mesa in a Friday doubleheader at home. The first game will start at noon MST with the second game starting 30 minutes after the conclusion of game one. Come out and support the Grizzlies tomorrow as they look to take down the number one team in the nation in Colorado Mesa.
