ALAMOSA, Colo. – Colin Ludwig went two-for-three with a double as the University of Colorado Colorado Springs opened the Adams State series in a 9-5 setback to the Grizzlies this afternoon. John Mallon and Scott Martinez each went two-for-four for the Mountain Lions (10-10, 5-4 RMAC).

After the Grizzlies took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, the Mountain Lions tied the game in the top of the second with a single from Matt Bone to score Ludwig. Adams State opened a 6-1 lead in the second through fourth innings before UCCS made four straight hits and scored three runs in the top of the fifth to cut the lead down to 6-4.

Eric Neeley recorded three strikeouts between the fifth and sixth innings as UCCS retired Adams State in order in both innings. The Mountain Lions turned a double play in the seventh inning to keep it a 6-4 game. UCCS cut the lead down to one run in the eighth after Efrain Medina scored from first base on a one-out double by John Mallon to left-center field. The Mountain Lions hit into a double play to end the inning and Adams State added three more runs in the bottom of the eighth for a 9-5 advantage.

Scott Martinez hit a two-out single in the top of the ninth and stole second base, but a fly out to right field closed out the first game of the four-game series with the Grizzlies. Neeley took the loss with a six-inning start and finished with four strikeouts.

UCCS and Adams State will continue with a pair of seven-inning games on Saturday. The first game is scheduled for a noon start.