Late rally falls short in series opener at Nevada

RENO, Nev. – The University of New Mexico baseball team trailed Nevada 5-1 through seven innings but scored single runs in the eighth and ninth and had the potential tying run at the plate in the ninth before the late-game rally ended in a 5-3 loss to the Wolf Pack.
 
In the loss, the Lobos (10-6, 2-2 MW) had a difficult time putting together sustained innings offensively as Nevada’s starter Ryan Anderson limited the league-leading Lobo offense to four hits and one run through his 6.2 innings of work. The lone tally against Anderson for the Lobos was an infield single by Hayden Schilling to his counterpart in the top of the third, scoring Tyler Kelly who had tripled to right-centerfield with two outs in the inning.
 
That was the first of three hits for Schilling as the senior shortstop paced the offense with a 3-for-4 effort that included a double and a RBI. It was the ninth multi-hit game for Schilling and his third three-hit game as well.
 
Schilling’s RBI also cut the Wolf Pack (9-7, 2-2 MW) lead in half after they plated two unearned runs in the bottom of the second.
 
The Wolf Pack would add single runs in the fourth, fifth and seventh to take the aforementioned 5-1 lead.
 
Now into the bullpen, the Lobo offense began to gain some momentum. In the top of the eighth, Adam Adkins led off the frame with a triple to left field. One batter later, Adkins scored to make it 5-2 on a RBI ground out by pinch-hitter Ediberto Reyes. Following a flyout, Schilling collected his double as he ripped a pitch down the right field line. Schilling then stole third, but was stranded there.
 
The Wolf Pack threatened for insurance runs in the bottom half after a leadoff double and a walk, but reliver Chad Smith got a fielder’s choice for the first out and then induced a 5-3 double play to end the inning and keep it a 5-2 game heading into the ninth.
 
In the ninth, Connor Mang led off with a double to center field. Three batters later, Zack Doak drove him home with a pinch-hit single up the middle with two outs. With Doak at first and trailing 5-3, the Lobos were bringing the potential tying run to the plate. Wolf Pack closer Bradley Bonnefant ended the Lobo rally there, registering a strikeout to end the game.
 
Game two of the series is set for a 3 p.m. (MT) first pitch on Saturday. Junior right-hander Nathaniel Garley is expected to take the mound for the Lobos.