Early Inning Rebels Runs Hurt Lobos in Game Two Loss to UNLV

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The University of New Mexico baseball team dropped game two of a three-game series hosting UNLV by a score of 12-4 on Saturday night at Santa Ana Star Field.

Kyle Landers led the Lobos as he went 2-for-4 with two runs and an RBI, while Chase Weissenborn also out up a two-hit night.

Starting pitcher Brett Russell began the game with a hot start as he forced the Rebels into a groundout, strikeout and fly out to end the first scoreless. The Rebels then scattered nine runs from the second to fourth innings to take a 9-0 lead through the middle of the fourth.

The Lobos plated a run in the bottom of the fourth frame as a groundout by Kamron Willman brought home Kyle Landers from third.

Brian McBroom had a fantastic three up-three down fifth inning to keep the Rebels scoreless for the first inning since the first. He ended the inning with a strikeout swinging.

The Rebels then plated three runs in the top of the sixth, but the Lobos responded with a pair of their own in the bottom of the frame to make the score 12-3, in favor of UNLV. Landers doubled to left center to bring home Sean Stephens, then Landers was brought around the bases as Justin Olson singled to second base.

McBroom turned in another impressive three up-three down inning in the seventh, before Will Armbruester replaced him the eighth. Armbruester came into the game and shut down the Rebels as he struck out the first batter he saw, walked the second but then forced a double play to end the inning.

The Lobos attempted to rally back in the bottom of the eighth as Stephens walked to start the inning. Willman then singled down the right field line to put runners on the corners. Olson then reached on a fielder’s choice and Stephens scored on the play to cut the Lobo deficit to 12-4.

Owen Loesch came in to the ninth to close out the game. After allowing a few base runners, Loesch was able to get out of trouble with two strikeouts swinging for the last two outs.

Although a few pinch hitters for the Lobos found some clutch hits in the bottom of the ninth, New Mexico was unable to come back from the deficit, falling to UNLV by a score of 12-4 in game two of the series.

New Mexico’s record falls to 12-15 (5-6 in MW play), while UNLV’s overall record improves to 18-9, 10-1 in conference action.

The Lobos will have one final try in the home series to find a win over the MW-leading UNLV on Sunday with a first pitch time of noon (MT) at Santa Ana Star Field.

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