For the second straight day, the University of New Mexico baseball team played a nail-biting game as part of the College Baseball Classic in Surprise Arizona. But unlike Saturday’s extra-inning victory over Cal Poly, the Lobos were unable to rally from behind in a 4-3 loss against Gonzaga.
The Lobos had multiple chances in the final four innings to plate the game-tying run, including two innings with a runner at third with less than two outs. But UNM could not find a much-needed clutch hit late against a Gonzaga team that fell to Cal Poly 8-7 on Friday.
First baseman Jeff Deimling continues to be a one-man wrecking crew for manager Ray Birmingham after posting a four-for-four stat line with one RBI on Sunday. The junior from Albuquerque, who played his high school ball at La Cueva, is batting a cool .385 over the first three games of the season, while diving in six of UNM’s seven runs over that span.
UNM’s bullpen has also been a stand-out in the young season, allowing just one earned run over 16 innings of work. James Harrington, Malachi Emond, and Hayden Shilling combined to pitch seven innings of six-hit ball in relief of starter Drew Gillespie. The trio of relievers kept the Lobos in the game and gave the offense a chance to win the game late while allowing only one unearned run in the final 27 at-bats for the Bulldogs.
Despite striking out five batters in two and a thirds innings of work, Emond was tagged for the loss after allowing an unread run on a double in the eighth inning by third baseman Ernie Yake.
The Lobos close out the final game of the tournament with a rematch against No.2 Oregon State. The Beavers beat the Lobos 5-2 on Friday afternoon.
First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 pm MT. Be sure to listen to the game on ESPN Radio 101.7 The TEAM, with voice of the Lobos, Robert Portnoy on the call.