Feb. 11, 2007
TUCSON, Ariz. – The Arizona Wildcats completed the season series sweep of the Lobo baseball team with an 8-3 win this afternoon at Kindall Field at Sancet Stadium. New Mexico eliminated the big-run innings that plagued them in the first two games but it wasn’t enough, falling to 1-3 overall while Arizona improved to 8-0.
Arizona scored first, putting a run on the board in the bottom of the second. However, senior first baseman Daniel Stovall made Wildcat starter Mike Colla pay for a leadoff walk to sophomore shortstop Chad Itokazu with a RBI double in the top of the third, evening the score at 1.
The Wildcats continued to push runs across the plate, scoring two in the third and one in the fourth, fifth and sixth for a 6-2 lead. The Lobos second run of the game came in the fourth as sophomore right fielder Dane Hamilton tripled with one out and scored on a groundout from junior catcher Drew McDonald.
Trailing 8-2 in the ninth, head coach Rich Alday sent freshman Bret Fanning in to pinch hit with two outs. Fanning walked and stole second before scoring on a single to right by senior center fielder Matt Foote.
Arizona’s David Coulon (2-0) earned the win, throwing 4.0 scoreless innings of relief with three strikeouts. Junior Jacob Norton suffered the loss for New Mexico, surrendering eight hits, six earned runs and two walks with two strikeouts in 5.2 innings. Freshman Albuquerque native Ryan Escarcega had a productive first outing in the cherry and silver, fanning three in 1.1 hitless, scoreless innings.
At the plate, Arizona outhit New Mexico 10-6. Stovall led the Lobos, going 2-for-3 with a RBI. The Wildcats’ C.J. Ziegler was 3-for-5 with two RBI and four runs scored.
New Mexico returns to action on Tuesday, Feb. 13 at New Mexico State. First pitch is slated for 1:05 p.m.