ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — New Mexico got the tying run to second base with two out in the ninth inning, but Jeff Deimling, who drove in two of UNM’s three runs, struck out as the Lobos lost to New Mexico State 4-3 on Tuesday night. The game was the final mid-week game for UNM, which now heads to Air Force for its final Mountain West series.
UNM hosts UC Davis is a non-conference series May 18-20 at Santa Ana Star Field.
UNM’s pitching was solid throughout, as starter Robert Gasser went five innings, allowing eight hits and three runs, walking just one. He was touched for a two-run triple with two out in the second inning, and a home run that just went out down the line in right in the fifth.
Gasser was one of eight freshmen in the lineup as injuries continue to ravage the Lobo lineup. UNM head coach Ray Birmingham gave the day off to the ailing Hayden Schilling and Danny Collier, although both entered late in the game.
UNM opened up a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Connor Mang doubled with two outs and Deimling laced a single to bring him home. Down 2-1 in the third, the same two teamed up again. This time Mang lobbed a single to right, and then Deimling smacked a 400-foot double off the wall in right center to make it 2-2.
Here are the highlights from tonight’s game with New Mexico State #GoLobos pic.twitter.com/bn4NiY5w2V
— UNM Baseball (@UNMLoboBaseball) May 9, 2018
After the Stine homer in the fifth gave NMSU a 3-2 lead, Malachi Emond worked out of a jam in the sixth for UNM, but he was touched for a scratch run in the seventh, which proved costly. Logan Ehnes was hit by a pitch (NMSU’s 101st plunking of the year), and then he stole second. Tristan Carranza then singled off the glove of Richard Ware at third. The ball never left the infield, but it caromed off Ware into the vacated slot at shortstop and Ehnes never stopped, beating the throw by Nick Atkins for a 4-2 lead.
Christian Tripp pitched the final two innings for UNM, allowing just a runner on an error. In the bottom of the ninth, UNM made a valiant comeback attempt. Brayden Merritt lined out to right to open the frame, and then Justin Watari’s two-strike protection swing produced a double just inside the bag at third. He moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on a Daniel Herrera ground out to make it 4-3, but there were two out.
Connor Mang singled for his third hit, and he was lifted for a pinch runner in Phillip Sikes. Sikes went to second on a wild pitch, but Deimling, who was 2-for-4 to that point, struck out on a 1-2 pitch to end it.
Mang and Deimling combined for five of UNM’s nine hits. The Lobos travel to Air Force for three games; at 3 p.m. on Friday and then 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Those games will be available on the Mountain West Network. Additionally, Voice of the Lobos Robert Portnoy will have the call on ESPN Radio 101.7 The Team, with the audio stream available via 1017theteam.com, the TuneIn Radio app, or the ESPN Radio 101.7 The Team App.
NOTES: Nick Atkins went 1-3 and it now batting .300 since April 25 … Tripp moved into sixth place all alone on the appearances list at UNM with his 69th, and he lowered his ERA to 2.16 … Schilling’s base hit moved him back over .300 at .307 for the season … UNM used its 46th different lineup in 48 games … UNM now has had 218 freshmen starts this season after starting eight on Tuesday.