LUBBOCK, Texas — A rough third inning and missed opportunities hurt the University of New Mexico baseball team against 10th-ranked Texas Tech as the Lobos fell 7-2 on a windy Tuesday afternoon at Rip Griffin Park.
After a two-run home run by Carl Stajduhar in the first inning gave UNM (4-3) an early lead, Lobo starter Luis Gonzalez began to struggle with his control in the third as he plunked a trio of Red Raiders (9-1) and balked in a run in what turned into a four-run frame (including a run scoring on a bobbled ball that could’ve been a double play) for Texas Tech to take a 5-2 lead.
The Lobos had their chances to cut into that lead, however, but went 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position in the contest – including a key opportunity in the top of the eighth with the score still 5-2.
Jack Zoellner doubled with one out and Jared Mang and Andre Vigil each walked to load the bases before Texas Tech went to the bullpen for reliever John McMillon. The hard-throwing right-hander got the Red Raiders out of the jam with a strikeout and a groundout to keep the score at 5-2.
Texas Tech added two more in the bottom of the inning for insurance to make the final 7-2.
Gonzalez picked up the loss, going 2.2 innings and giving up five runs on five hits with four strikeouts, two walks and three hit batters.
Austin Isenhart shined in relief for the Lobos as he got UNM out of the jam in the third and tossed four scoreless and hitless innings before allowing his first hit in the eighth (after a lead-off walk). Both those runs scored as he finished with a line of two runs on one hit with two strikeouts, two walks and two hit batters in 4.1 innings.
Zoellner finished 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles for the Lobos while Stajduhar went 2-for-4 with a home run, double and two RBI.
Jacob Patterson got the win in relief for Texas Tech, going 2.2 scoreless innings and giving up three hits with two strikeouts. Six Red Raiders accounted for their seven hits with Connor Beck the lone players with multiple hits, going 2-for-3 with a run and RBI.
UNM returns to action Friday to start Mountain West play with a three-game series at Air Force. Listen to all three games of the series live with play-by-play from Scott Galletti on ESPN Radio 101.7 The TEAM streamed at www.1017theteam.com and on the TuneIn Radio app.
Notes
- Carl Stajduhar’s first-inning home run was the 29th of his career, tying him for ninth on the UNM all-time list with Mark Gulseth (1992-93). Eighth on the list is Jeff Grady (2002-05) with 34.
- The single Isenhart allowed in the eighth on Tuesday six-inning hitless streak for the left-hander (1.2 against Dallas Baptist, 4.1 against Texas Tech)
- UNM allowed 10 free passes (five walks, five hit batters) – the most this season by the UNM pitching staff
- The five hit batters is the most for the Lobos since hitting six against New Mexico State on May 5, 2015.