ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A Cherry & Silver World Series that’s featured three one-run games in four contests was not surprisingly tied 4-4 heading into the seventh and final inning of Game 5 on Saturday afternoon.
But Cherry opened it up with a five-run frame to claim a 9-4 victory and win the series 3-2 at Santa Ana Star Field.
UNM coach Ray Birmingham, who is entering his 10th season at the helm, said it was great to see such a competitive series and, as usual, expectations are high once the season comes in February.
“It was a great series,” said Birmingham of his defending Mountain West champion Lobos. “This team has a lot of talent and we have a lot of things going for us. We have the new locker room being built, today’s also recruiting day and we had a very competitive game. This team has Omaha written on it and it’s going to happen.”
As for Saturday’s finale, the Silver squad led 3-0 heading into the sixth inning until Cherry put up a four spot thanks to a pair of two-run doubles by Matthew Villalobos and Jeff Deimling to take a 4-3 advantage.
The lead didn’t last long for Cherry, however, as Silver’s Justin Watari led off the bottom of the inning with a single before Anthony Acevedo smoked a ball off the top of the wall in right center for a double to score Watari and tie the game 4-4.
Cherry, much like Silver, got the inning started right as Andre Gregory led off the seventh with a double. Cherry eventually loaded the bases with two outs when Villalobos ripped a ball to left field that couldn’t be handled and all three runs scored to give Cherry a 7-4 advantage. RBI singles by Deimling and Luis Gonzalez pushed the Cherry lead to 9-4.
Christian Tripp got the win in relief for Cherry (his second of the series), going two hitless and scoreless innings with a strikeout.
Deimling finished 2-for-3 with a double and three RBI while Gonzalez and Gregory each had two hits apiece as well.
Hayden Schilling picked up the loss for Silver, going an inning and giving up six runs (two earned) on three hits with a strikeout and three walks. Silver got a strong start from Cody Dye, who went 4.1 innings and gave up no runs on two hits with three strikeouts and two walks.
Watari led Silver at the plate, going 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run.
As for the series, Gregory led Cherry with a .421 average (8-for-19) with a double, home run and five RBI. Jack Zoellner led Cherry with seven RBI.
Silver was led by Watari who finished with a .571 average (8-for-14) with a double, triple and four RBI in the series. Beau Capanna hit .421 (8-for-19) while Jared Mang hit .412 (7-for-17) with a team-high six RBI and had the team’s only home run.
The Lobos open the season Feb. 17 at home against Binghamton.