ALAMOSA, Colo. – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs baseball team earned a series win over Adams State University in Alamosa, Colo., winning the series finale, 14-12, and taking the series, winning three out of four games.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final: UCCS 14, Adams State 12
Records: UCCS (19-27, 11-17 RMAC) | ASU (13-32, 8-20 RMAC)
Facility | Location: ASU Baseball Field | Alamosa, Colo.
All-Time Series: The Mountain Lions lead the Grizzlies 18-6 in the all-time series.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Caleb Stubbings put the Mountain Lions on the scoreboard with an RBI double that scored Evan Steinberger and Hayden Iverson in the first inning. The Mountain Lions held the Grizzlies scoreless in their first two innings at the plate before UCCS added another run in the third frame. Iverson worked the base paths when he led off the inning with a single to left center. With Steinberger at the plate, Iverson stole second and then proceeded to move to third on a wild pitch. Stubbings grounded out for the second out of the inning but drove in Iverson for the Mountain Lions third run of the game. In the home half of the third frame, the Grizzlies used a triple, double and a fielding error to score two runs and bring ASU within one run of the Mountain Lions, 3-2.
- The Mountain Lions pounced the Grizzlies in the fourth inning, putting up a five-spot on five hits. Brakel started the scoring spree with a two-run shot over the centerfield fence. Iverson laced an RBI single to left field to score Vander Hodges. Stubbings closed the inning when he roped an RBI single through the right side that brought home Iverson and Ronan Hella and extended the Mountain Lions lead to 8-2. Brakel added to UCCS' lead in the top of the fifth inning when he took advantage of a wild pitch for his second run of the game.
- Trailing by seven runs, 9-2, the home team went to work in the bottom of the fifth inning, scoring nine runs to claim their first lead of the game, 11-9. The Grizzlies took advantage of a pair of errors and walks, a balk and a three-run home run as part of their nine-run output.
- UCCS fought off the Grizzlies to add five more runs in the seventh and eighth innings. Hella connected for an RBI single as Iverson brought him home when he went yard over the left field fence in the seventh frame. With two outs to start off the eighth inning and holding onto a 12-11 lead, Hodges and Hella hit back-to-back RBI singles, growing UCCS' lead to three runs, 14-11.
- The Mountain Lions defended their lead heading into the final half inning of the game. With one out and runners on first and second base, Hodges moved from his third base defensive position to the mound. He quickly loaded the bases on a hit batter before a balk scored a run for ASU, but Hodges closed the game getting the final Grizzlies batter to strikeout swinging, preserving the win for the Mountain Lions and the series win, 3-1.
GAME STATISTICS
- Five Mountain Lions registered multiple hits in the series finale. Iverson led both teams after going 4-for-5 at the plate with four runs scored, three RBI, a home run, and two stolen bases.
- Brakel added three hits, three runs, two RBI and a home run on six plate appearances.
- Stubbings, Hodges and Hella each tallied two hits apiece. Stubbings finished with a game high five RBI while Hodges and Hella were nearly identical at the plate, going 2-for-4 with two runs each and a walk.
- John Hoffman started on the mound for the Mountain Lions, pitching the first 4.2 innings, allowing eight runs (five earned) on seven hits and striking out two batters.
- Marko Sipila earned the win, holding ASU to no runs and just one hit in 1.2 innings. Jon Sotto relieved Sipila and pitched the next two innings effectively, as ASU was only able to get one run and one hit off Sotto's arm, before Hodges closed the game with the save.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Hodges' five saves this season moves him into sole possession of third place for most saves in a season and most saves in a career (five).
- Brakel hit his first career home run today while Iverson went yard for the eighth time this season.
- Stubbings improves his team high multiple hit games to 25 this season. He also leads UCCS with a 15-game hitting streak.
UP NEXT
- The Mountain Lions will close out the regular season at home May 5-6. UCCS will play host to Colorado Schools of Mines with doubleheaders each day beginning at 12 p.m.
SOCIAL
Twitter – @GoMountainLions
Instagram – @gomountainlions
Facebook – GoMountainLions
