March 17, 2000
SAN DIEGO - San Diego State exacted a measure of revenge for its 24-21 football loss to New Mexico last fall when it defeated the UNM baseball team by the same score in a game played in Albuquerque on Friday afternoon.
The Aztecs scored three runs in the top of the ninth to spoil a comeback by the Lobos that saw them rebound from a 21-12 deficit and tie the game at 21-21 in the bottom of the seventh inning.
The big blow in the SDSU ninth was a two-out, two-RBI double by first baseman Tyler Echelbarger. That winning hit came after Andy Litterla and Paul Lockhart both singled with two down.After Echelbarger was balked ot third, freshman Garrett Cook followed with an RBI single to provide the three-run cushion.
Cook and Echelbarger both went 3-for-7 on the day. Echelbarger had a pair of doubles and five three RBI while Cook had three singles and five RBI.. Centerfielder Billy Montgomery continued his hot hitting with four hits in six trips to the plate, four runs scored and four RBI.
Junior Jon Minter picked up the win in relief, getting the final out in the Lobos' nine-run seventh inning that tied the game and allowing just a single in the eighth. Freshman Rory Shortell, who started at shortstop and went 5-for-6 with a pair of doubles and two RBI, came on in the ninth to record his third save of the season.
The victory improved SDSU's record to 14-13 (3-1 MWC) while New Mexico fell to 13-12 (2-1 MWC). The teams will play game two of their three-game series on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. (MST) in Albuquerque.
San Diego State 24, New Mexico 21SDSU 227 114 403 - 24 24 0UNM 333 201 900 - 21 24 5Skinner, Dunwell (3), Julianel (7), Minter (7), Shortell (98) and RogersCooper, Gross (4), Bengert (7), Contreras (8) and LittleW - Minter (1-0)L - Contreras (0-1)SV - Shortell (3)HR - SDSU: Montgomery (1), Pierce (1), Cook (2) UNM: Little (2), Alexander (1)Time - 3:54Att - 342