Rubber game with Bulldogs ends in 6-6 tie
FRESNO, Calif. – Trailing 6-3 through six innings, the University of New Mexico baseball team rallied to score three runs over the next two innings to knot the game at 6-all. The decisive game in the series between UNM and Fresno State on Sunday was anything but, however, as the game ended in a 6-6 tie due to travel concerns for UNM in getting back to Albuquerque.
The late-inning rally for the Lobos (19-23-1, 8-12-1 MW) began in the top of the seventh inning. Connor Mang and Jeff Deimling singled in succession to lead off the inning. Hayden Schilling then reached on a fielder’s choice as he attempted a sacrifice bunt. Deimling was out on the play at second, but Mang reached third to put runners on the corners with one out. Following a pop up on the infield for the second out, Brayden Merritt drove in Mang with a clutch single to centerfield to make it a 6-4 game.
An efficient bottom of the seventh that saw the Bulldogs (26-13-1, 12-7-1 MW) be retired in order gave way to the top of the eighth where the Lobos continued their comeback effort.
In the top of the eighth, Tyler Kelly led off with an infield single to the Fresno State shortstop. On the very next pitch, Kelly scored to make it a 6-5 game as Justin Watari tripled to centerfield. The Bulldogs would get the next two batters to keep Watari at third with now two outs. Just as Merritt came through with a huge two-out RBI in the seventh, Deimling did the same in the eighth as he singled to left field to score Watari and tie the game at 6-all.
The Bulldogs threatened in the bottom of the inning with a leadoff single and eventually runners on the corners with one out, but the Lobos were able to not allow a run to score.
Unable to score in the top of the ninth, the Lobos were forced to withstand another Bulldog threat, this time in the form of a leadoff double. Following that leadoff double, the Lobos turned to Schilling to move from shortstop to the mound to keep the game tied.
Schilling would get the first out on a full-count swinging strikeout. With first base open, an intentional walk was issued to set up a double play opportunity. That decision proved to be on point as Schilling fielded a comebacker and then triggered a 1-6-3 double play to end the inning, and due to the travel for the Lobos, end the game at a 6-all tie.
In traveling home, the Lobos will prepare for their longest and final home stand of the year as they begin an eight-game home stand on Tuesday night against Grand Canyon. First-pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. out at Santa Ana Star Field.