PHOENIX, Ariz. — In a game where hits were scarce and run were moreso, a pair of hit batters did UNM in. The No. 27 Arizona State Sun Devils got a walk-off single from Andrew Shaps with one out in the ninth to drive in Colby Woodmansee who was hit by a pitch to give ASU a 1-0 win.
The loss gave the series sweep to Arizona State and dropped UNM to 30-16, and the Lobos have now lost four of their last five. Arizona State improved to 26-15.
The loss put a damper on a brilliant performance on the hill by Colton Thomson, who allowed just three hits and no walks with seven strikeouts in seven shutout innings. He only had one tough inning, the seventh, when ASU got runners on first and third with one out. However, Thomson fielded a safety squeeze, looking the runner back and getting the out at first. He then struck out Jeremy McCuin to strand two in scoring position.
He gave way to Victor Sanchez, who threw a perfect eighth inning, but he hit Woodmansee with his first pitch of the ninth. After getting a strikeout on a sacrifice attempt, he then hit Brian Serven to move Woodmansee into scoring position. Alex Estrella then came in and allowed a sharp single to right by Shaps. Andre Vigil’s throw was just up the line, allowing Woodmansee to just get in under the tag and win it.
The Lobos and Sun Devils combined for just seven hits, and it marked UNM’s first shutout loss this season. UNM got three hits, two from Luis Gonzalez and a bloop double by Vigil that everyone lost in the sun.
UNM should have scored in the first, but couldn’t capitalize on a golden opportunity in the first inning. Luis Gonzalez tripled to open the game, but UNM couldn’t plate him. Jared Holley popped up to second on the first pitch, and the Chris DeVito grounded back to the pitcher. Carl Stajduhar was intentionally walked, bringing up Vigil, who flew out to right. That set up the pitcher’s duel to follow.
UNM couldn’t solve the riddle of Zach Dixon and Eder Erives. Dixon threw the first 2.2 innings, allowing both Gonzalez hits. Erives went the final 6.1 innings, allowing just the sun double by Vigil. Both ASU pitchers walked three as UNM left eight runners on.
The Lobos will return to action Tuesday at New Mexico State in a game broadcast on ESPN3 as well as locally on the radio on ESPN Radio 101.7 The Team.
NOTES: The game was the second 1-0 game of the season, as UNM won 1-0 over Sacramento State in a game also pitched by Colton Thomson … the last time UNM played two 1-0 games in the same season was in 2004 when UNM lost to San Diego State 1-0 but beat BYU 1-0 … UNM was shut out on the road for the first time since March 29, 2014 when Air Force won 5-0.
ASU Completes Sweep with Walk-Off 1-0 Win
