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Lobos Edged Out in Series Finale Versus Fresno State

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The University of New Mexico baseball team started off hot and kept it close in its series finale versus Fresno State (16-19, 13-12 MW), but it was not enough as the Lobos were edged out by the Bulldogs 9-12 at Santa Ana Star Field. The Lobos (9-20, 6-12 MW) were led by Lance Russell, who went 4-5 from the plate with three RBIs and one run.

“Fresno was a different team this time around,” said head coach Ray Birmingham. “They hammered our pitching.”

The Lobos led the game through the first two innings scoring in both frames. In the first, Kyler Castillo hit an RBI single that scored Chase Weissenborn, and in the second, it was Mack Chambers who doubled to right-center, scoring Jacob Gutierrez.

Fresno State managed to pull ahead 2-6 in the next three innings, but the Lobos took the lead with a five-run sixth inning. The first run came in a bases-loaded situation as Castillo was hit by a pitch, which allowed Shane Podsednik to score. With two outs on the board and bases still loaded, Lance Russel doubled to left-center, which scored Weissenborn, Chambers, and Castillo. With the game tied, Kyle Landers then doubled to right-center, scoring Russel for the 8-7 Lobo lead.

The Bulldogs quickly answered back with four runs in the seventh, but the Lobos scored in both the seventh and eighth frames, making it a one-run ball game. In the seventh, Jacob Gutierrez grounded out to second, which scored Harry Fullerton. Then, with two outs on the board in the eighth frame, Willie Cano reached base on a throwing error by the shortstop, and Castillo made it home on the error.

The Lobos had the momentum in their favor, but the Bulldogs scored two runs in the ninth in which the Lobos could not recover.

Six Lobos posted a hit in the game, including Kyle Landers (1-4) and Shane Podsednik (1-5). Chase Weissenborn (2-6), Mack Chambers (2-4), Kyler Castillo (2-2), and Lance Russel (4-5) all had multiple hits. Both Weissenborn and Russell had two doubles in the game.

The Lobos will now hit the road to face Air Force in another three-game series starting with a doubleheader on Saturday, May 8. A live stream will be available for fans to keep up with all the games.

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