Katelyn Lovato: Photo By Eric R. Flores
Eric R. Flores
The Paw Print
Adams State College’s softball team had a long spring break as they played 10 games over spring break. The break was an interesting one as they won five of the games.
The Grizzlies opened by sweeping the New Mexico Highlands University Cowgirls in a 4-game series in Las Vegas, N.M.. The Grizzlies won Saturday’s games by scores of 9-1 and 7-6, with the second game being an eight inning affair.Sunday’s games were won by scores of 5-0 and 8-7.
On Wednesday, the Grizzlies traveled to Canyon, Texas were swept by the No. 10 West Texas A&M Lady Buffs as they lost 3-7 and 3-11 in five innings.
The Grizzlies bounced back to win the first game of this weekend’s Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference 4-game series with the Colorado School of Mines Orediggers 6-5 before dropping the next three with scores of 5-9, 1-9 in six innings and 4-5.
Over the break sophomore Katelyn Lovato used her sprinting skills to break Adams State’s NCAA Division II Era (1993-present) record for stolen bases in a season and in a career.
On Sunday, the 150-acre fire that was raging in the back hills overlooking centerfield did not distract the Orediggers (17-13,12-4 RMAC), who maintained their 1-game lead over defending champion Metro State in the RMAC Overall ane East Division standings, during the first game as they tallied 10 hits while holding the Grizzlies (15-12, 9-7 RMAC) to just two in the 6-inning, run-rule win.
CSM jumped out early as they scored the opening run in the bottom of the first inning followed by a 2-run homer in the bottom of the second and a single run in the bottom of the third inning to open up a 4-0 lead.
The Grizzlies then got on board in the bottom of the fourth inning when left fielder Carly DeLorenzo reached second on a throwing error and junior third baseman Rebecca Lindquist hit a RBI double down the left field line. The double, Lindquist’s fifteenth of the season, moves her into a tie for third place on ASC’s Division II era (1993-present) record book for doubles in a season, just one shy of tying the record, jointly held by Beth Record (1996 & 1997) and Heather Ebert (2008).
The Orediggers responded with a 3-run blast to left center to force head coach Dervin Taylor to bring in senior Marissa Elsberry in the sixth inning for relief. The Orediggers pounced on her as they loaded the bases and got the two runs to ensure the run-rule walk-off victory.
Senior pitcher Sarah Lindquist was charged with her fourth loss of the season as she gave up seven runs, five of which were earned, on nine hits while walking two and striking out four in five innings of work.
The Grizzlies then struck first in the second game as the Grizzlies set up a good inning. Katelyn Lovato started it off when she reached on a bunt before stealing her 35th base of the season. Rebecca Lindquist then singled to third and stole her first base of the season. Freshman Jennie Archambault then drew a walk to load the bases before freshman Stephanie Dunham drew a walk to score Lovato from third.
The Ordiggers then scored a single run in the bottom of the first inning to tie the game at one before they strung a series of hits together for a breakout 4-run second inning to jump out to a 5-1 lead.
Senior pitcher Rachel Lovato closed the door on the Orediggers for the rest of the game giving the Grizzlies a chance.
The Grizzlies nearly took advantage scoring two runs in the top of the fourth inning as a wild pitch with the bases loaded scored Archambault from third. Sophomore DJ Consonero who went 2-for-3 on the day, then singled to the third baseman to load the bases once again before Katelyn Lovato then blasted a high sacrifice fly down the left field line to score pinch runner Erin Myers from third. The Orediggers then used strong pitching to get out of the jam with a 5-3 lead.
The Grizzlies then nabbed their final run in the top of the sixth when Katelyn Lovato hit her fourth triple of the season down the left field line to score pinch runner Brianna Boyd from first base. Lovato is now tied for fifth on the ASC career charts with six triples in her career, just two away from tying the record of eight.
Rachel Lovato, who was credited with her third loss of the season, gave up five runs on six hits while walking three and striking out three.
The Grizzlies will now return home this weekend and play host to Mesa State (12-9, 10-6 RMAC), a team just one game in front of the Grizzlies for first place in the West Division. The Mavericks split a pair of RMAC doubleheaders with Nebraska-Kearney over the weekend
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