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Box Score 2 ALAMOSA, Colo. – The Cowgirls offense came alive Sunday afternoon (Feb. 23), but the Grizzlies were able to complete the four-game sweep as the New Mexico Highlands softball team (4-9, 0-4 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) fell 5-4 in game one and 7-4 in game two against Adams State (6-8, 4-0 RMAC).
In game one, every time Highlands scored in the top of the inning, Adams State responded in the bottom. After a scoreless first inning, the Cowgirls scored a trio of runs in the top of the second. Freshman
Alysia Cavone and sophomore
Dekota Monarrez both walked to begin the inning before pitcher freshman
Katelyn Bates helped her own cause with a three-run shot. It was her fourth round-tripper of the season.
Adams State struck back in the bottom of the second for four runs, but Highlands would knot the game in the top of the sixth with an unearned run. Cavone led off the frame with a dropped fly ball by the left fielder before scoring on an RBI double by Monarrez.
The Grizzlies responded with two-out lightning in the bottom of the sixth for the winning run. With two outs and no one on, Mara Dunlap singled and stole second. Erika Ecsedy – who finished the game with a double and triple with four RBI in three at-bats – hit a double that scored Dunlap.
The Cowgirls managed a walk in the top of the seventh, but the Grizzlies held on.
The Cowgirls only managed three hits in game one and was paced by Bates three run home run in two at-bats with three RBI's and a run scored. Bates started the game in the circle and gave up eight hits and four runs with three walks and five strikeouts, but junior
Jessica Brink (1-5) took the loss when she allowed two hits and five runs (none earned) with three strikeouts is three innings of work.
Adams State erupted for four runs in the bottom of the second to take the initial 4-3 lead. With the bases loaded and two outs, the Grizzlies played station-to-station softball when Dunlap single drove in a run. Ecsedy followed with her third triple of the series to empty the bases.
Dunlap led the Grizzlies with two runs in the first game and Adams State finished the weekend with five triples total. Morgan McWilliams allowed three hits and four runs (three earned) with 11 strikeouts to pick up the win in game one. Payne pitched the seventh for the save, allowing only one walk with one strikeout.
While Highlands took the early lead in game one, it fell behind 2-0 after one and a late-inning rally by the Cowgirls fell short. Down 2-0 in the top of the third, junior
Jacquelyn Wood walked to begin the inning, stole second, advanced to third on a single and stole home on a double steal with sophomore
Aylissa Lujan.
Down 5-1 in the fourth, Brink hit a home run after junior
Tori Gil walked to cut the deficit in half. Bates added a solo home run in the top of the sixth for her second home run of the game. Brink took her second loss of the day, allowing four hits and five runs
The Grizzlies took game two thanks to four Highlands' errors which led to five unearned runs, starting in the bottom of the first. With one out and one out, Ecsedy reached on an error. Carly DeLerenzo scored on a groundout and Jennie Archambault singled in the second run of the inning.
After Highlands cut the deficit in half in the top of the third, the Grizzlies scored a trio of unearned runs in the bottom of the inning. After the first two outs, Erica Haugum singled to center field. She advanced to second on another single, but scored on an error by the outfield. Casey Chaney then reached on an error by the pitcher that cleared the bases.
For the Grizzlies, Archambault had three hits in as many at-bats with two RBI's and a run scored. Sierra Mora added an inside-the-park home run in three at-bats. Kelsey Sellars got the win, allowing four runs on five hits and two walks while striking out five. Kaycee Prevedel got the save, allowing two hits while striking out one in the top of the seventh.
The Cowgirls have an entire week off before returning to action Saturday (March 1) when they play Regis for the RMAC home opener. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 11 a.m.
