Open Announce

Lobos Drop Game Two of the Sanderson Ford College Classic 

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The University of New Mexico’s baseball team could not create a rhythm in Saturday afternoon’s game versus Oregon State (1-1). Despite making changes at the mound to combat the Beaver offense, the Lobos (0-2) ultimately fell 1-14.

The Lobos had a few changes to their batting lineup, with senior infielder Jared Martin coming in as a pinch hitter for freshman center fielder Jacob Gutierrez at the top of the eighth inning. After a ball and a strike, this change paid off as Martin hit a bomb down the middle, earning the Lobos their first run of the game. This was just the third at-bat for the senior from Frisco, Texas, and his first on the day.

The Lobos had a scoring opportunity at the top of the sixth after senior Harry Fullerton was hit-by-a-pitch, loading the bases by moving sophomore Mack Chambers to second and red-shirt senior Connor Mang to third. Junior Willie Cano was the next at-bat but grounded the ball to the shortstop on his first swing, ending the Lobos’ inning, leaving three men on base.

Despite the score, the Beavers only had three innings in which they scored. Oregon State jumped to a 5-0 lead in the third inning, starting with a walk and a single, putting two men on base. After a single through the right side from Troy Claunch, the runner on second made his way to home plate. Five batters later, the Beavers were able to put four more runs on the board.

A home run by Joe Casey with one on base and a Grand Slam by Ryan Ober in the fifth inning brought the Beaver lead to 11-0. Junior leftfielder Kyler Castillo made an impressive running catch to end the inning.

Finally, a home run with two on base in the seventh brought the Beavers to 14 runs, a deficit the Lobos could not overcome.

Lobo newcomer and right-handed pitcher Chezzare Gonzales made an impressive one-inning appearance in today’s game, allowing only one hit during his time on the mound.

Shortstop Chambers made his way on base two times off four at-bats, leading the Lobos in the game. Castillo also made his way on base in the first inning but was caught stealing second.

The Lobos will take on the K-State Wildcats tomorrow at 5 p.m. MT in Surprise, Ariz., and will then close out the Sanderson Ford College Baseball Classic on Monday as they face Oregon State for a second time at 3 p.m. MT.