Box Score PUEBLO, Colo. – The Cowboys scored three runs in the first and led 4-1 late, but the ThunderWolves scored four runs in the eighth and ninth innings as the New Mexico Highlands baseball team (28-17, 25-10 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) lost the series finale to CSU-Pueblo (24-21, 20-14 RMAC) 5-4 Sunday afternoon (April 27) in Pueblo, Colo.
The Cowboys got off to a fast start with a three-spot in the top of the first. With one out, senior
Justin Rodriguez singled but was thrown out at third when redshirt freshman
Matthew Chavez singled. Singles by senior
Jarred Middleton and juniors
Colby Wilmer and
Joe Cervantes around a hit by pitch put Highlands up 3-0. In the bottom of the inning, the first three runners reached on senior pitcher
Daniel Clark, but a strikeouts and a pair of groundouts limited the damage to one.
The Cowboys extended its lead to 4-1 in the seventh thanks to a wild pitch. CSU-Pueblo looked as if it would end the inning with a strikeout, but Rodriguez reached first on a wild pitch. On the second pitch he saw, Chavez doubled to the gap in right center to quickly put the visitors up three.
Chavez had three hits in as many at-bats for the day with a run scored an RBI. Cervantes had two hits in three at-bats with a pair of RBI's. Clark got a no decision despite only giving up three hits and one run with three strikeouts in six innings. Senior
Ben Ruff fell to 0-4, allowing one run and two hits over 1.1 innings pitched.
With only one run through the first seven innings, the ThunderWolves rallied to salvage a win in the series finale. Mike Wagner led off the eighth with a single and quickly stole second. Lonny Schoon overcame a 1-2 count to draw a walk to put two on. Shane Richens singled in a run, but an error moved the tying runs into scoring position with no one out. A suicide squeeze and a groundout tied the game.
In the bottom of the ninth, Austin Mascorro was hit by a pitch before an intentional walk and a single loaded the bases with one out. Ruff recorded a strikeout for the second out, but Richens singled down the right field line on the first pitch he saw to give the home team the walkoff win.
Wagner led the ThunderWolves offense with three hits in five at-bats with a run scored and an RBI. Victor Soto survived a rough first inning for the complete game win, allowing nine hits and four runs with four strikeouts and two walks.
The New Mexico Highlands baseball team, already having clinched the RMAC Plains Division, needs just a win and/or Colorado Mines loss to clinch the second seed in the RMAC Tournament. The Cowboys battle Metro State in a pair of double headers next Friday and Saturday (May 2-3) in Las Vegas, N.M.
