SURPRISE, Ariz. — The University of New Mexico baseball team had its chances, but came up just short against Gonzaga 4-3 on Sunday night at Surprise Stadium.
Twice in the final four innings the Lobos (1-2) left a potential game-tying run on third base when they had less than two outs – spoiling another strong effort from the UNM pitching staff.
“We got another great night of bullpen work,” UNM coach Ray Birmingham said. “Unfortunately we need more of our older guys to clutch up to win close games like this.”
In the sixth inning and with the Lobos trailing Gonzaga (1-2) – which had lost one-run game to No. 2 Oregon State and Gonzaga the previous two days – 3-2, UNM got things rolling when with one out Jared Mang was hit with a pitch, Jeff Deimling singled and each advanced to second and third on a wild pitch. But pinch-hitter Jeremy Conant and freshman Connor Mang struck out to end the threat.
UNM did tie the game in the seventh inning, however, as Daniel Herrera led off the inning with a walk and Brayden Merritt entered to pinch run. After a UNM strikeout, freshman Garrett Gouldsmith entered as a pinch hitter and laced a single. One out later, Hayden Schilling on an 0-2 pitch blooped a single to center to score Merritt and tie the game at 3-3.
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Gonzaga scored an unearned run in the top of the eighth to take a 4-3 advantage (the first and only run of any kind allowed by the UNM bullpen in 16 innings thus far in 2018), but the Lobos looked like they might answer when Deimling – who had a monster game for UNM – led off the inning with a double to left center and was advanced to third on a ground out by freshman pinch hitter Richard Ware. However after Connor Mang walked, Robby Campillo grounded into a 6-4-3 double play to end the threat.
UNM didn’t threaten in the ninth as the Lobos were retired in order.
Deimling finished the game 4-for-4 with a double and an RBI as the junior has a hit in his last five at-bats (had the game-winning single on Saturday against Cal Poly). Schilling finished 2-for-4 with a run and RBI as well for the Lobos as those two accounted for six of the Lobos’ seven hits.
Malachi Emond picked up the tough-luck loss, going 2.1 innings and giving up an unearned run on three hits with five strikeouts. Drew Gillespie got the start and gave up three runs on three hits with a strikeout and two walks. James Harrington was solid in relief, going 4.1 scoreless innings and giving up three hits with three strikeouts and two walks.
Jake Vieth paced Gonzaga at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a home run, double and two RBI. Calvin LeBrun got the victory in relief for the Zags, going 2.2 innings and giving up a run on four hits with four strikeouts while Casey Legumina picked up the save with a perfect ninth.
UNM closes out the College Baseball Classic 2 p.m. Monday with a rematch against No. 2 Oregon State. The Lobos lost to the Beaves 5-2 on Friday in their season opener.