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Late Inning Runs Hurt Lobos in Midweek Loss to No. 16 Arizona

by Alma Solis

TUCSON, Ariz. – The University of New Mexico baseball team fell to No. 16 nationally-ranked Arizona, after the Wildcats exploded offensively in the late innings of the matchup at Hi Corbett Field on Tuesday night.

In the bottom of the first, the Lobos got themselves into a bit of a jam as bases were loaded with two straight singles and a walk. With no one out, Arizona’s Chase Davis lined out to first baseman Kyle Landers, who then stepped on first to double up Tanner O’Tremba. Miguel Reyes Jr. then closed out the inning with a strikeout looking.

After a quick second inning on both sides of the plate, the Lobos struck first in the top of the third inning as they plated three runs for a 3-0 lead. Landers first doubled to center to bring home Shane (Johnny) Podsednik, before Adam Schneider made it home on a wild pitch two pitches later. Braydon Runion then hit a sacrifice fly to score Landers.

The Wildcats then plated three runs in the bottom of the third and fifth innings to knot the game at 3-3.

New Mexico wasted no time regaining the lead in the top of the sixth as Lenny Junior Ashby launched a ball of the top of the Wildcats’ hitting center behind the right field wall for his third home run of the season. Jeffrey David then scored on a passed ball to put the Lobos up, 5-3.

The Lobos used a total of nine pitchers in the game. In the sixth inning, Aaron Makil came in for his very first appearance of the season. He struck out two batters in the inning, starting and ending the inning with swinging strikeouts.

The Wildcats capitalized on New Mexico’s pitching changes and plated nine runs through the seventh and eighth innings. The Lobos were unable to keep up, falling 12-5 to the No. 16-ranked Arizona Wildcats.

The Lobos record falls to 4-8 overall (1-2 MW) while the Wildcats record improves to 10-3 (0-0 Pac-12).

New Mexico returns home to host Fresno State in a three-game conference series this weekend, March 11-13. First pitch on Friday and Saturday is set for 2 p.m. (MT), while Sunday’s first pitch is set for 12 p.m., at Santa Ana Star Field.

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