Lobos Downed in High-Scoring Game Two, 23-19

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – New Mexico Baseball built an 11-6 lead heading into the seventh inning of the second game of its Mountain West weekend series with Fresno State Saturday afternoon at Santa Ana Star Field, but 17 runs over the final three frames from the Bulldogs were too much to overcome and the Lobos’ eight-run ninth-inning rally wasn’t enough to get them back in the game as UNM fell 23-19.

The Lobos’ losing streak extends to eight games – they drop to 16-17 on the season and 7-7 in MW play, below .500 for the first time this season since the first weekend of play in February. Fresno State has now won six in a row and 10 conference games in a row.

UNM responded to an early Fresno State solo shot with two runs on three consecutive first-pitch hits – including doubles from Konner Kinkade and Will Asby to lead things off – and plated seven more on seven hits in the fourth, with a two-run homer from Jake Holland extending the lead to 11-6.

But Fresno racked up 16 of their 26 hits over the next three frames, and the Lobos couldn’t respond until the game was well out of hand in the bottom of the ninth. UNM produced eight runs on six hits with their final three outs, but could only get within four late.

All in all, the two teams combined for 51 hits and 42 runs with no errors.

Holland went 5-for-6 with two homers, scoring three runs and driving in six – he’s now up to 12 big flies on the season. Khalil Walker went 4-for-5 with a walk and a run to lead five other Lobos that finished with multiple hits. Three other Lobos finished with three hits – Konner Kinkade hit two doubles and matched a career-high with three RBI, Will Asby scored four runs and drove in two more while drawing two walks and Tye Wood scored two and drove in two.

UNM used six pitchers in Saturday’s game – RHP Brett Russell (5.0 IP, 10 H, 6 ER, 0 BB, 2 K), RHP Brian McBroom (1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 0 K), LHP Jaren Jackson (1.1 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 3 K), RHP Josh Barnhouse (0.2 IP, 3 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 0 K), LHP Justin Still (0.0 IP, 0 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 0 K) and RHP Ryan Castillo (0.2 IP, 6 H, 5 ER, 0 BB, 1 K). Jackson was tagged for the loss to drop to 2-5 in games of record.

UP NEXT / FOLLOW THE ACTION
The Lobos have a chance to snap their eight-game skid in tomorrow’s series finale, set for a 12 p.m. MT first pitch. All of this weekend’s action will be streamed via the MW Network, with live stats available via GoLobos.com/BSBStats. Follow @UNMLoboBaseball on socials for promotional/marketing and gameday updates, behind-the-scenes content and more.