DENVER, Colo. – The Regis University baseball team (10-7, 4-3 RMAC) took two games from the Adams State University Grizzlies (6-11, 0-3 RMAC) on Saturday afternoon, winning the first 8-7 in walk-off fashion, and the second 10-8.
Game One: Adams State wasted no time in this one as they exploded for four runs in the top of the first inning that started with a triple, double, homerun and single to leadoff the game. Regis responded with a run of their own in the bottom of the first to cut the lead to three runs, 4-1.
The Grizzlies got two more runs in the top of the third, but the Rangers countered with four runs in their half as junior Christian Bitar doubled to right center scoring senior Josh Newell and freshman Ryan Tierney on the play. Junior Chris Kobar singled to right field that plated Bitar and junior Andrew Bryniarski, bringing the score to 5-6 in favor of the visitors.
The Grizzlies pitcher walked freshman Coby Zimmerman to load the bases in the bottom of the seventh, and then Kobar drew a walk, which pushed Bitar across the plate to tie the game at six runs apiece. A strikeout ended the inning and the teams headed to extras for the second straight game.
Adams State got a leadoff walk in the top of the eighth sacrificed the runner to second, and then a triple put the visitors ahead 7-6. The Rangers "never say die" attitude kicked in once again as senior Max Fabricant led off with a triple in the bottom of the eighth. Newell doubled to right center, scoring Fabricant from third to knot the game at seven runs for each side.
Bitar was intentionally walked, and Bryniarski stepped to the plate. On the second pitch he saw, the junior laced a shot up the middle that reached center field, allowing Newell to touch third and head home for the 8-7 walk-off win.
Game Notes: Senior Adam Montano (W, 2-1) picked up his second straight win pitching the top half of the eighth inning, allowing one hit, one earned run, and picking up one strikeout. Newell led the way as he went a perfect 3-for-3 from the plate including one double and an RBI. Kobar added three RBI's in the first game; Bitar and Bryniarski also drove in two RBI's apiece.
Game Two: The second game of the doubleheader started off much like the first as Adams State got on the board early with a leadoff homerun, followed by a bunt single. By the end of the top half of the first, the Grizzlies enjoyed a 6-0 lead over Regis.
In the bottom of the second inning, the Rangers began to chip away at the lead. With the bases loaded, Bitar lined a double to right field, clearing the bases and cutting the lead to three runs, 3-6. Back-to-back singles from Bryniarski and junior Zach Dedin tied the game at six runs at the end of the second inning.
Newell broke the tie in the bottom of the fourth with a solo shot to right center. A few batters later, freshman Coby Zimmerman sent a single through the right side sending Bryniarski home from second base, and putting RU in front 8-6 after four innings of play.
Adams State got one run back in the top of the fifth on a sacrifice fly to left field, but the home team scored two in the bottom half to take a 10-7 lead. Senior Nick DiPaola (S, 1) came on with one out in the bottom of the seventh to earn his first save of the season, striking out one batter and getting the other to ground out.
Game Notes: Redshirt-sophomore Matt Heibult (W, 1-1) picked up his first victory of the season as he nearly went the distance in game two of the doubleheader. Heibult pitched 6.1 innings in the game despite allowing 10 hits and seven earned runs. The lefty struck out four batters and got 13 outs via the ground ball. Newell collected two more hits in game two, capping off his day going a perfect 5-for-5 from the plate including a homerun. Bitar finished the day with a total of six RBI's, going 4-for-7 with two doubles.
Up Next for the Rangers: The teams will finish the four-game series with the series finale tomorrow scheduled for noon as the home team looks for their first series sweep of the year.
