PUEBLO, Colo. – The Cowboys managed only managed a solo home run off the bat of senior
Joe Cervantes as New Mexico Highlands (7-6, 1-2 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) dropped a pair of games to #25 CSU-Pueblo (12-3, 4-1 RMAC) 2-0 and 9-1 Saturday afternoon (March 7) in Pueblo, Colorado.
The home run was Cervantes second of the season and the first since Feb. 7 at Lubbock Christian.
The Cowboys knocked around the Thunderwolves starter in game one, but they could not scratch a run across. In the first, fifth-year senior
Matthew Chavez – who had his hitting streak snapped in game two – had a two-out hit. Two hits with two down went by the wayside in the second and a hit by senior
Andrew Ratterman to lead off the third saw the inning end with him on third.
After senior
Anthony Badalucco retired the side in order in the first, CSU-Pueblo struck for a run in the third. After a pair of singles and a sacrifice put a pair of runners in scoring position, Jordan Godman's double put the home team on the board. A two-out single in the sixth gave CSU-Pueblo an insurance run.
Badalucco (1-2) took the loss, allowing one run in five innings of work. Kolby Rimer got the complete game win, allowing five hits but only one run in seven innings of work.
In game two, the Cowboys struck first but CSU-Pueblo used some lucky bounces to take blow the game open in the bottom of the fourth. With Highlands already trailing 2-1, the Thunderwolves opened with a walk and single for runners on the corner. A squeeze bunt by Daniel Vigil plated a run, but Highlands could not cut down the runner at home. Godman then grounded to the right side, but Chavez's throw to second hit the runner to plate another run and put CSU-Pueblo up 4-1. A single by Dominick Bregar plated a pair of runs to put the home team up five.
CSU-Pueblo went on to win 9-1.
Victor Soto (3-0) picked up the win, allowing one run on two hits for the Thunderwolves. Junior
Avery Brandon (0-2), allowing six runs (five earned) and six hits in 3.2 innings.
The series finale between #25 CSU Pueblo and New Mexico Highlands is scheduled Sunday (March 8) at noon.
