SPEARFISH, S.D. – The Black Hills State University softball team begins Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action Saturday and Sunday traveling for four games at Adams State University. First pitch on Friday is slated for noon and 11 a.m. on Sunday.

Adams State owns a 1-9 record to start the season. Tyler Hays leads the Grizzlies offense with .519 batting average. Hays has played and started all 10 games so far this season, tallying 14 hits with two RBI. Gabrielle Griego holds a .208 batting average while leading the team in RBI with five and has a home run. Griego also started and played in all 10 games.

Mackenzie Villarreal owns a .971 fielding percentage and has tallied 33 putouts in just seven games that she has played in at shortstop. Alongside Villarreal, Hays has snagged 38 catches for the defense in the outfield. Hays has 15 putouts with 20 assists to give her a .921 fielding percentage.

In the circle, Lauren Murphy has pitched 22.2 innings striking out 17 batters. Murphy pitched two complete games in five starts. She registered the only win for the Grizzlies with a 1-4 record.

Adams State is picked to finish ninth in the RMAC according to the Preseason Coaches' Poll.

Black Hills State picked up its first two wins of the season at the Minot State Invite in Aberdeen, South Dakota this past weekend to own a 2-6 record to start the season.
Katelyn Odle has tallied seven hits with four RBI in eight games played and started. Odle owns a .280 batting average in 25 at-bats.

Alongside Odle, Pamela Sakuma tallied four hits with four RBI in just 19 at-bats. Sakuma has played and started in all eight games so far this season for the Yellow Jackets. At first base, Sakuma has tallied 57 putouts with two assists to own a 1.000 fielding percentage.

In the circle, Alex Wiley owns a 3.81 era. In just 28.1 innings pitched, Wiley struck out 21 batters and registered the first shutout of the season for the Yellow Jackets in a 1-0 win against Minot State. Wiley has made five appearances with four starts through the first eight games. She has pitched four complete games and owns a 1-3 record.

The Green and Gold fell in both games last year to Adams State by scores of 7-5 and 4-1. Dating back to 2012 in the NCAA era, ASU leads the all-time series against BHSU 9-2.

Following the weekend, Black Hills State travels to Colorado State University-Pueblo March 4 and 5 to continue conference action. First pitch Saturday, March 4 is scheduled for noon followed by 11 a.m. Sunday, March 5.