April 12, 2003
Albuquerque - New Mexico scored six times in the sixth inning to break open a close game, and then held on to defeat San Diego State, 14-11, Saturday afternoon at Lobo Field in Albuquerque. The win brought UNM (24-15) to within a game of the second-place Aztecs as they improved to 8-6 in the Mountain West Conference. SDSU saw its record fall to 16-20 overall and 9-5 in league play.
The Lobos six-run inning turned a 5-3 game into an 11-3 contest, and they added three more in the seventh to extend their advantage to 14-3.
New Mexico starting pitcher Kris Gross, who picked up the win to improve to 4-1 on the year, kept the Aztec offense in check through the first seven innings. However, he ran into trouble in the eighth, allowing four runs before leaving the game. SDSU went on to send 11 men to the plate and score a total of seven runs in that inning to pull to within 14-10.
The Aztecs added a run in the ninth on Josh Allen's third double of the game, but had Ryan Wilson thrown out at the plate on the same play to end the game. Allen finished the contest with four hits and two RBIs, and his three two-baggers tied the SDSU record for doubles in a game.
Outfielder Landon Burt also had four hits and two runs batted in on the day while designated hitter Jon Stephens had three hits including a three-run homer in SDSU's seven-run eighth inning. In addition, second baseman Ryan Wilson went 3-for-5 with a double and two runs scored.
Aztec starter Ben Coon, who allowed five runs on eight hits over four innings, suffered his second consecutive loss as his record fell to 3-3.
New Mexico first baseman Chris Alexander had a pair of home runs and six RBI while third baseman Josh Mader had four hits including a solo homer to lead the Lobos.
The Aztecs and Lobos play the rubber game of their three-game series on Sunday (April 13) at 1:00 p.m. (MDT) in Albuquerque. That contest can be heard live on the Internet at www.goaztecs.com with the pregame show beginning 10 minutes before game time.
New Mexico 14, San Diego State 11SDSU 000 120 071 - 11 17 1UNM 203 006 30x - 14 16 1Coon, Eigenhuis (5), Miller (6), Levy (8) and AllenGross, Bullen (8), Lacheur (8) and SpitaleriW - Gross (4-1)L - Coon (3-3)Sv - NoneHR - UNM: Alexander (3rd-one on) and 7th-three on) UNM: Mader (6th-none on) SDS: Stephens (8th-two on)Att. - 600Time - 2:54