April 22, 2016
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - San Diego State saw an early three-run lead disappear as New Mexico rallied for a 10-5 victory over the Aztecs in the opening contest of a three-game series in Albuquerque Friday night.
With the victory, the league-leading Lobos improved to 28-12 overall and 15-4 in the Mountain West. SDSU, meanwhile, saw its record fall to 11-24 (4-9 MW).
San Diego State opened the scoring in the top of the second innings as it put three runs on the board without the benefit of a base hit.
The frame began with back-to-back walks to David Hensley and Spencer Thornton. Tyler Adkison's sacrifice bunt attempt was then thrown wildly to first with Hensley scoring from second. When the first baseman's throw to the plate sailed over the catcher's head, Thornton also scored on the paly and the Aztecs had a quick 2-0 lead.
Adkison ended up at second and would advance to third on a sac bunt by Jordan Verdon and score on Andrew Browns ground out to shortstop to make in 3-0 in favor of the visitors.
The Aztecs three-run lead was narrowed to one when New Mexico score a pair on the bottom of the third. The Lobos then took the lead for good with five more in their half of the fourth to go up 7-3. During that fourth inning uprising, UNM got four singles and a pair of walks, one with the bases loaded.
UNM's first seven runs were charged to Aztec starter Harrison Pyatt, who went 3.2 innings allowing seven hits and two walks while recording two strikeouts. With the loss, the freshman redshirt's season record dropped to 0-4.
SDSU tried to work its way back into the contest with a run in the top of the seventh. Verdon led off with a double, went to third on Brown's grounder to second and scored on Hunter Stratton's ground out to shortstop to make it 7-4.
But the Lobos responded with three runs in their half of the eighth created by three hits and an SDSU fielding error. Those three runs were charged to reliever Adrian Orozco and left the Aztec facing a 10-4 deficit.
San Diego State added a consolation run to its total in the ninth on a double by Adkison, who advanced to third on a ground out and scored on a wild pitch to provide the final 10-5 score lone.
New Mexico starter Carson Schneider tossed the opening 5.1 innings allowing the first three runs on three hits with four walks and three strikeouts. He picked up the win to improve to 7-1 with Chris Tripp tossing the final 3.2 frames to record his second save.
Shortstop Alan Trejo had three singles on the night as he accounted for half of SDSU's six hits in the contest. Adkison ended the evening with the double and also scored twice.
The Aztecs and Lobos will continue their weekend series on Saturday, April 23, with a game set to get underway at 2:00 p.m. (MT) and Santa Ana Star Field in Albuquerque.