Thomson, Cole Lead Lobos to 6-2 Victory
FRESNO, Calif. – The University of New Mexico baseball team played one of its most complete games of the season Saturday as it defeated Fresno State 6-2. The win clinched the series for the Lobos (11-7-1, 3-2).
Lobos’ starter Colton Thompson had to throw 110 pitches in six innings but was able to work around five hits and four walks in shutting out the Bulldogs (13-6, 5-3). He struck out two and worked around jams in the first, second and fourth innings.
The game was scoreless through six as Fresno State’s starter, Jimmy Lambert, was able to contain the Lobos.
Things changed in the seventh, though. Jack Zoellner and Jared Holley led off the frame with singles to put men on the corners. Freshman Andre Vigil, who had a career-high three RBIs Friday, put the Lobos on the board with a single into right to score Zoellner. Aaron Siple followed and reached safely to load the bases. Sam Haggerty then drove home Holley as he safely reached on an error. After the Bulldogs were able to turn a double play Chase Harris came up with two runners in scoring position and two outs. The Lobos’ senior right fielder came through with a single through the right side to score two men and extend the Lobos lead to 4-0.
Jake Cole came on in relief and pitched the final three innings, allowing two runs on two hits and two walks. He did, however, match a season-high with five strikeouts as he earned his first career save.
The Lobos’ final two runs came in the ninth. Haggerty started the rally by getting hit by a pitch, and he advanced to third on an error on a pickoff attempt. Danny Collier followed with a walk, and with Harris at the plate, Haggerty scored and Collier moved to second on a wild pitch.
Harris’ bunt single moved Collier to third, and the speedy freshman was able to score on an RBI fielder’s choice off the bat of Alex Real.
Thomson and Cole combined to limit the Bulldogs to just seven hits while UNM pounded out a dozen. Harris, Real, Zoellner and Vigil recorded two hits apiece to lead the team.
The Lobos will look for their first sweep of the conference season Sunday at 2:05 p.m. MT. Senior Josh Walker will start on the mound looking for career win number 22. The game will be streamed live on GoLobos.com.
Notes: Collier was the only starter not to record a hit, but his ninth-inning walk ensured each starter reached base … Cole also struck out five at Arizona State on Feb. 18 … UNM now has four saves on the season, each one being recorded by a different pitcher: Cole, Victor Sanchez, Carson Schneider and Tyler Gibson … Thomson lowered his ERA to 2.17 and now has a team-high 18 strikouts.