Eric R. Flores
The Paw Print
Fans were treated to two slugfests on Sunday as the Adams State College Grizzlies scored 16 runs in each game to cap off a weekend sweep of the Mesa State College Mavericks in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play, here at the new ASC Softball Field.
The Grizzlies won the first game in run-rule fashion as they won 16-5 in five innings before battling in a 2 hour and 48 minute see-saw game that the Grizzlies won in walk-off fashion, 16-15, in the bottom if the ninth inning.
The Grizzlies (19-12, 13-7 RMAC) combined for 40 hits during the day, used a 10-run second inning in Game 1 to break things wide open. After putting up three runs in the first inning off five hits including a Rebecca Lindquist double to break ASC’s Division II era (1993-present) single-season record with her 17th of the season, Adams State retalliated big after Mesa State (12-13, 10-10 RMAC) tied the game up in the top of the second.
Adams State used a 3-run homer from freshman Jennie Archambault as part of their 8-hit rally after the bases were loaded and redshirt freshman Kristen Payne drew a bases loaded walk. After a couple of singles to infielders the Grizzlies built their lead to 13-3 before adding three runs in the bottom if the fourth inning. The runs came off a 2-run single by Lindquist followed by a RBI double by Payne.
Senior starting pitcher Sarah Lindquist, who allowed only three earned runs on 10 hits and one walk while striking out three batters, allowed two more runs to cross the plate in the fifth frame, however, she was able to shut the door to finish off her 57th career complete game, a new ASC career record.
The Grizzlies scored first in the bottom of the fist inning when Rebecca Lindquist hit a solo homer to right center.
That lead was quickly erased as the Mavericks struck for six runs on five hits and one Grizzly error. With the score 6-1, the Grizzlies got one run in the bottom of the third when freshman Carly DeLorenzo hit a RBI single to left field to score sophomore Katelyn Lovato who was on third base.
Mesa State then used a RBI single, bases loaded hit-by-pitch, and a sac fly to give them their biggest lead of the game when they led 9-2.
Payne led off the fouth inning with a solo homer a few batters before senior Jaycee Lovato came in as a pinch-hitter to nail a 2-run home to right field to close the gap back to 9-5. Katelyn Lovato opened up the fifth inning by reaching on a fielding error and made her way to third on a wild pitch and a fly ball before Payne nailed an RBI double to right center to bring the game to 9-6 after five innings.
Mesa State then nabbed one run in the top of the sixth inning to make the score 10-6.
The Grizzly bats then came to life in the bottom of the sixth inning as Archambault singled to the shortstop before Jaycee Lovato reached on a fielding error. DJ Consonero then used a perfectly placed bunt single to load the bases. After fouling off two pitches, Katelyn Lovato shocked the Mavericks as she nailed her first career grand slam to right center to tie the game up at 10.
Rebecca Lindquist kept the inning alive as she singled through the left side before Payne hit her second homer of the game to left center. On the very next pitch junior Lizzy Schossow got into the act as she hit a laser down the left field line to make the score 13-10 in favor of Adams State.
Sarah Lindquist then came into pitch some relief ball in the top of the seventh inning, however, she was unable to hold the Mavs back as they got to her for three runs on two hits to tie the game at 13.
Despite getting a single from Katelyn Lovato, the Grizzlies were unable to get the game-winning run across the plate, forcing extra innings for the Grizzlies third time this season.
Mesa State then got two runners on base before Gabriella Para nailed a 2-run double to right center to give them a 15-13 lead in the top of the eighth inning. The Grizzlies, however, had other plans as they countered with a 2-run inning of their own when Jaycee Lovto hit a 2-run single to center field to score Archambault and Payne sending the Grizzlies and Mavericks to a ninth frame.
Despite getting a runner to second base, the Grizzly defense stood their ground and kept the Mavericks from scoring for the first time since the fifth inning.
Things did not look good for the Grizzlies as Kayelyn Lovato lined out to the pitcher followed by a DeLorenzo groundout to the shortstop. With two outs, Lindquist used her speed on two occassions, the first to make it to first on a single to the shortstop and then to make it all the way around to home plate as she slide under a close play at the plate after Payne doubled down the left field line.
Archambault was a perfect 5-for-5 on during the day and 8-of-8 on the day as she had two doubles, a triple and homer with three RBIs.
Senior Rachel Lovato allowed 10 runs to cross the plate, only four of which where earned, on nine hits and nine walks to recieve a no-decision after pitching six innings.
Sarah Lindquist, who pitched three innings of relief, allowed five earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out three batters as she won her 14th game of the season and her 47th of her career, the new ASC record for wins in a career.
With the wins the Grizzlies completed their second 4-game series sweep of the season to sit atop the RMAC West standings. Their last one was Mar. 12 and 13 when the Grizzlies swept the New Mexico Highlands University Cowgirls.
The 22 hits for the Grizzlies in Game 2 is the most any any RMAC team this season. Both teams combined had 36 hits, 31 RBIs and 10 doubles in the game, all of which top the RMAC so far this season.
The Grizzlies will host Regis next week. The Rangers are 15-14 overall and 9-9 in conference play.
What’s Been Said…