Justin Still (@JSTILL40) ends the top of the frame with a strikeout swinging 👊#GoLobos | #WeAreNM pic.twitter.com/4fSGn3ucrX
— UNM Baseball (@UNMLoboBaseball) April 27, 2022
Lobos Fall to GCU in Tuesday Matchup
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The University of New Mexico baseball team fell to the Grand Canyon University Lopes by a final score of 7-2 at Santa Ana Star Field. This marks the Lobos’ first midweek loss in six weeks (two losses at then-No. 17 Texas Tech on March 15-16).
The Lobos were unable to find much production offensively as Kamron Willman led the team with a 2-for-3 outing. Only two other Lobos got a single hit in the game (Jeffrey David and Chase Weissenborn). Freshman southpaw Justin Still earned his first career start, going 3.1 innings and allowing just two runs on three hits while fanning four batters.
Although the first two innings went scoreless, there was plenty of action as Still struck out the last batter of the first and first two of the second.
Second K of the game for @JSTILL40!#GoLobos | #WeAreNM pic.twitter.com/zJX4ZIe7Va
— UNM Baseball (@UNMLoboBaseball) April 27, 2022
Third straight swinging strikeout for Stilly 🔥#GoLobos | #WeAreNM pic.twitter.com/p3CE85bDYO
— UNM Baseball (@UNMLoboBaseball) April 27, 2022
The Lobos opened scoring in the bottom of the third. Willie Cano reached base to open the frame as he was hit by pitch, then Chase Weissenborn singled to right field. Sean Stephens then walked to load the bases. On an 0-1 count, Jeffrey David singled through the left side to bring home Cano and Weissenborn and give the Lobos a 2-0 advantage.
B3 | Lobos open up scoring! @Jeffrey_David8 hits a single through the left side to score @CanoWillie and Chase Weissenborn (@theweissenborn) 🙌
GCU 0 – UNM 2 pic.twitter.com/nFCZm2INMl
— UNM Baseball (@UNMLoboBaseball) April 27, 2022
Still struck out another batter in the top of the fourth but after giving up the game-tying two-run homerun and a hit by pitch, he was replaced by Brian McBroom.
Fourth K for @JSTILL40, first one looking for him on the night! #GoLobos | #WeAreNM pic.twitter.com/nKGLZHnvrZ
— UNM Baseball (@UNMLoboBaseball) April 27, 2022
The Lopes added a pair of runs to take a 4-2 lead in the top of the fifth. Owen Loesch came in to relieve McBroom in the sixth and forced a double play and a fly out to keep the score the same.
The national leader in turning double plays does it again 😏#GoLobos | #WeAreNM pic.twitter.com/2pbRxBfLka
— UNM Baseball (@UNMLoboBaseball) April 27, 2022
GCU added two more runs through the next two innings to take a 6-2 advantage. Weissenborn had many chances at short and fielded each one of them easily, including a couple outstanding SportsCenter Top-10 worthy plays.
*Cues SportsCenter jingle* 😏#GoLobos | #WeAreNM pic.twitter.com/3k0RXUzpw5
— UNM Baseball (@UNMLoboBaseball) April 27, 2022
The Mountain West Freshman of the Week, Benjamin Baker-Livingston, came in to close the ninth, striking out the first and last batter he faced, but giving up another run as the Lopes extended their lead to 7-2.
Benjamin Baker-Livingston opens the ninth with a strikeout and ends it the same! That's our Freshman of the Week 🤩#GoLobos | #WeAreNM pic.twitter.com/lE4WZ2UqxQ
— UNM Baseball (@UNMLoboBaseball) April 27, 2022
New Mexico was unable to produce many hits, falling to GCU by a final score of 7-2.
New Mexico’s record falls to 16-24 overall, while GCU’s record improves to 28-14 overall.
The Lobos are set to host San Jose State this weekend on Friday-Sunday at Santa Ana Star Field. Friday and Saturday’s games are set for 6 p.m. (MT) and Sunday is set for a noon first pitch.
To keep up with all things Lobo baseball, follow @UNMLoboBaseball on Twitter and Instagram.