Eric Flores
The Paw Print
The Adams State College pitching staff of juniors Marissa Elsberryand Sarah Lindquist had solid pitching performances, however, the Western New Mexico University Mustangs had some solid defense of their own as they capped off the 4-game series sweep of the Grizzlies in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference softball action on Sunday with 2-0 and 3-1 wins here at Mustang Field.
In the efforts, Grizzly true freshman Katelyn Lovato kept her hitting streak alive as she had three hits on the day, including a single in the first inning of Game 1 and two hits, including a double in Game 2 to extend her lead to 23 straight games with at least hit.
Elsberry, who started Game 1, pitched a 6-inning complete game while only giving up six hits, one walk and two runs.
The Mustang’s lone runs came in the bottom of the first and sixth innings.
The run in the first inning came when Amy Aicher recorded a 1-out single before moving to second when Elsberry hit Kristina Barr. Then with two outs, Jessica Jayo registered a run-scoring double.
The Mustangs, who had several opportunities to extend the lead, were held to just that single run until the sixth when a Rebecca Reynolds double followed by a Courtney Reyes 2-out single resulted in the second run.
The Grizzlies’ best opportunity to score came in the top of the first inning as Lovato had a bunt single that was quickly followed by a single to the third base by freshman Ashley Pohl. However, the Grizzlies were unable to connect on any more base hits in the frame as they stranded a total of seven runners on base.
Lindquist also had a solid pitching game as she struck out six batters while only giving up four hits and three runs, two of which were earned, during her 6-inning complete game in the 4-game series finale.
Lovato also kept her streak alive as she opened the second game up with a double to left field, but could not score as the Grizzlies finished 5-for-24 (.208) with runners in scoring position throughout the day.
The Grizzlies were down early once again this time as Barr hit a solo homer to dead centerfield in the bottom of the first inning.
The Grizzlies then had another opportunity as they had the bases loaded in the fifth inning but they fell short yet again.
After two quick outs in the bottom half of the inning, a miscommunication with the Grizzly infield was costly as two Mustang runs were able to cross the plate.
The Grizzlies would get on the board in the sixth as back-to-back doubles by Rebecca Lindquist and Jaycee Lovato followed by a Sarah Lindquist RBI groundout allowed the Grizzlies to dent the scoreboard.
After two quick outs in the seventh, Katelyn Lovato reached base and was chased to third with a single by Pohl and an error on Barr at shortstop, but could not score as the game came to an end.
The Mustangs (22-15), who now lead the RMAC West Division standings at 18-7, have now won 14 straight home games and are 15-1 at home this campaign.
The Grizzlies who now have a 9-14 overall and 8-13 RMAC records will travel to Pueblo next week to take on the Chadron State Eagles (19-20, 13-13 RMAC) on Saturday and the Lopers of Nebraska-Kearney (9-20, 8-11 RMAC) on Sunday in RMAC Pod weekend action.
The Grizzlies’ games against the Eagles will be carried live on KSPK-FM (104.1 in Alamosa) and on the internet at www.kpsk.com starting with the 9:45 a.m. pre-game show.
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