Pueblo, Colorado - In one of the highest-scoring games of the season, New Mexico Highlands rallied late but ultimately fell in a walk-off, 18-17, to CSU Pueblo in Sunday's RMAC series finale at Rawlings Field.
The Cowboys (6-32, 1-19 RMAC) pounded out 21 hits and erased multiple deficits, including a dramatic ninth-inning comeback, but the ThunderWolves answered in the bottom half to secure the win and split the four-game set.
New Mexico Highlands wasted no time offensively, erupting for five runs in the first inning.
Alex Galvan sparked the rally with an RBI double, while
Taiga Sato and
Isaac McNair - Seigler added run-scoring hits.
Lubby Marrujo capped the inning with an RBI ground out to give New Mexico Highlands an early 5-0 lead.
CSU Pueblo (18-19, 10-10 RMAC) responded immediately, plating six runs in the bottom of the first to take a 6-5 advantage. The back-and-forth battle continued throughout the afternoon, with the Cowboys tying the game at 6-6 in the second on an RBI fielder's choice from
Ryan Rodriguez.
After trading runs, the ThunderWolves built a cushion with a four-run fourth and a five-run fifth to take a 16-11 lead. New Mexico Highlands answered in the fifth, highlighted by a two-RBI triple from
Johnathan Davis that tied the game at 11-11 before Pueblo surged ahead again.
Trailing 17-11 entering the seventh, the Cowboys chipped away. Davis delivered a sacrifice fly and Rodriguez followed with an RBI single to cut the deficit to 17-13.
New Mexico Highlands saved its biggest push for the ninth inning. Rodriguez doubled home two runs,
Truett Ross added an RBI single, and
Tamden Webb-Tate delivered a clutch RBI double to tie the game at 17-17.
In the bottom of the ninth, CSU Pueblo capitalized on a lead off base runner and executed a bunt single that brought home the winning run for an 18-17 walk-off victory.
Offensively, New Mexico Highlands was led by
Adrian Castenada, who went 4-for-5 with four runs scored, while Galvan added three hits and two RBIs. Davis finished 3-for-4 with four RBIs, and Rodriguez drove in four runs with two extra-base hits.
Nico Hilger also contributed three hits and scored four times.
On the mound,
Brin Osterman (0-2) took the loss in relief.
New Mexico Highlands returns to action on Friday afternoon when they welcome Adams State to historic Las Vegas for a 3:00 pm. RMAC contest.
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