May 10, 2002
Albuquerque - New Mexico scored two runs in the seventh inning to takes its first lead of the day and went on to post a 6-5 win over San Diego State Friday afternoon at Lobo Field in Albuquerque. The game was played in blustery conditions with winds gusting up to 35 mile per hour.
The loss was the Aztecs' sixth in their last seven Mountain West Conference games and dropped SDSU to 36-20 overall and 16-9 in league play. The Lobos improved to 21-29 (10-15 MWC).
San Diego State took the early lead with two runs in the first on RBI singles by Chad Corona and Carlo Cota. UNM answered with a run of its own in that inning on a walk to Matt Young, single by Dusty Young, and a double play off the bat of Todd Stroud.
After the Aztecs restored their two-run advantage in the second on Taber Lee's RBI single, the Lobos came right back with a run in their half of the inning, courtesy of a wind-aided triple by Troy Cairns and a wild pitch. They tied the game at 3-3 in the fifth, again scoring a run on a double play grounder.
SDSU grabbed a 4-3 lead when Brian Manfred's two-out single in the sixth plated Carlo Cota from second base. That lead was short-lived, however, as UNM rallied to score twice in the seventh on a two-run double by Dusty Young. The Lobos extended their lead to 6-4 in the eighth when Josh Mader's single got past center fielder Anthony Gwynn, allowing Mader to circle the bases.
The Aztecs pulled a run back in the ninth on a sacrifice fly by Gwynn, but it was not enough to avoid their fourth defeat in their last five games.
New Mexico's James Vermilyea went the distance on the mound to even his record at 7-7. Along the way he struck out six and gave up 10 hits, all singles. Shortell took the loss and saw his season ledger fall to 7-5.
The Aztecs and Lobos continue their three-game weekend series on Saturday, May 11, at 1:00 p.m. (MDT) in Albuquerque. SDSU's Chris Dunwell (7-3, 3.53) is expected to get the start against UNM's Matt Bullen. (2-5, 7.04).
New Mexico 6, San Diego State 5SDS 210 001 001 - 5 10 2UNM 110 01 021x - 6 9 1Shortell, Hartshorn (7) and ManfredVermilyea and TajimaW - Vermilyea (7-7)L - Shortell (7-5)Sv - NoneHR - NoneAtt. - 352Time - 2:18