Lobos Battle with SDSU But Fall Late 11-5
New Mexico Lobos (15-29-1, 8-17MW) hosting San Diego State Aztecs (32-14, 14-7 MW)
Saturday – 2 p.m. MT – RHP Cody Dye (3-6, 5.79) vs. RHP Logan Boyer (0-0, 2.35)
Sunday – 1 p.m. MT – RHP Nathaniel Garley (2-2, 4.08) vs. RHP Jorge Fernandez (5-3, 3.35)
Saturday Links: Audio | Video | Stats
Sunday Links: Audio | Video | Stats
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Despite mustering just two hits through seven innings, New Mexico was squarely in a battle with San Diego State on Friday night, but the Aztecs posted four runs in the final two innings to pull away with an 11-5 win that all but eliminated the Lobos from the Mountain West Tournament chase.
The Lobos had their lowest hit total of the season, managing just two hits, both in the seventh inning, but those two hits kept UNM in the game. Down 7-1 entering the seventh, San Diego State’s Harrison Pyatt was throwing a no-hitter, although he allowed an earned run in the fourth. After striking out Derek Marshall to open the frame, he was just eight outs from SDSU’s first no-hitter since Stephen Strasburg in 2009 against Air Force. Instead, Pyatt never made it out of the inning.
It started when Danny Collier, playing as the designated hitter, walked and was lifted for a pinch runner, Richard Ware. Phillip Sikes tried to bunt his way on for UNM’s first hit of the game, but he fouled it off. He was then clipped by a pitch two tosses later and UNM had runners on first and second. Daniel Zakosek then looked like he was hit by a pitch, but no call was made, so he stayed in the box while Richard Ware alertly went to third. Zakosek then lined the next pitch over the head of a leaping Casey Schmitt at third base for a run scoring double, and the no-hitter was gone and UNM trailed 7-2.
Pyatt looked a little rattled and threw one to the backstop, scoring Sikes to make it 7-3, and Garrett Gouldsmith ground one just past the shortstop for a single to make it 7-4. That ended Pyatt’s night, with Christian Winston entering the game. After a balk, Brayden Merritt hit a screamer to third that Schmitt somehow picked for an out that would have been a run-scoring double. That was the end of UNM’s opportunities.
Here are the highlights from tonight’s game with San Diego State #GoLobos pic.twitter.com/eYOUsXrL4F
— UNM Baseball (@UNMLoboBaseball) May 5, 2018
SDSU answered with three in the top of the eighth to put it away, scoring those off four different relievers.
UNM got an unearned run back in the bottom of the eighth, again without a hit as after Jacob Maekawa booted an easy double play ball, Ware hit a sacrifice fly to right to score Hayden Schilling.
SDSU went up 4-0 after four innings, getting one each in the first, second, third and fourth, three of those coming with two outs. UNM answered in the bottom of the fourth with an earned run without a hit. Schilling walked and Connor Mang was hit by a pitch. Both advanced on a wild pitch, and Marshall hit a grounder to short that scored Schilling, and Marshall was safe as the throw from David Hensley pulled Jordan Verdon of the bag at first.
The series continues Saturday with a 2 p.m. game as UNM will send Cody Dye to the hill. The game will feature a taco eating contest during the game, and the concessions stand will have a special for Cinco de Mayo, Tequila and a Hot dog taco combo for just $14.
NOTES: Hayden schilling pitched for the first time since March 7, allowing one hit and a run in 1.1 innings of work … UNM’s three strikeouts by the staff tied for the lowest this season (three vs. Grand Canyon April 24) … UNM’s two hits were a season low, as it had four hits seven different times … Zakosek took over the team lead in hitting at .327 … Jared Mang was officially ruled out for the remainder of the year with a hand injury that he will have surgery on.