Las Vegas, New Mexico - A back-and-forth battle slipped away late for New Mexico Highlands on Friday afternoon, as Regis scored five runs over the final two innings to edge the Cowboys, 10-9, at Brandt Field.
With the loss, New Mexico Highlands moves to 10-33 overall and 5-20 in RMAC play, while Regis improves to 15-27-1 overall and 6-18-1 in the conference. The two teams entered the weekend in a four-way tie for the final RMAC playoff spot.
New Mexico Highlands struck first in the opening inning when
Ryan Rodriguez delivered a two-run single up the middle to score
Alex Galvan and
Adrian Castenada for an early 2-0 lead.
After Regis tied the game with a pair of runs in the fifth, New Mexico Highlands answered in the bottom half on a sacrifice fly from
Nico Hilger to regain a 3-2 advantage.
The Rangers surged ahead in the sixth inning, plating three runs to take a 5-3 lead, but New Mexico Highlands responded with its biggest inning of the day.
Taiga Sato tied the game with a two-run single before
Tamden Webb-Tate and Hilger added RBI hits to cap a four-run frame and put the Cowboys back in front, 7-5.
New Mexico Highlands extended the lead in the seventh when Webb-Tate delivered again, ripping a two-run double to right center to push the advantage to 9-5.
Regis began its comeback in the eighth with three runs to cut the deficit to one, setting the stage for a dramatic ninth inning. The Rangers tied the game on a wild pitch before taking the lead on a New Mexico Highlands error later in the frame.
The Cowboys put the tying run on base in the ninth, but Regis closed out the game.
Rodriguez led New Mexico Highlands at the plate, going 4-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored. Webb-Tate added three hits and three RBI, including a pair of doubles, while Sato drove in two runs.
Johnathan Davis and
Lubby Marrujo each contributed two hits in the Cowboys' 15-hit effort.
Andrew Baltazar turned in a lengthy start on the mound, striking out three over 7.1 innings, while
Brin Osterman was took the loss in relief.
The series continues Saturday with a doubleheader beginning at 12:00 p.m. at Brandt Field, with New Mexico Highlands set to recognize its 11 seniors prior to first pitch as part of Senior Day festivities.
