One may argue that Thursday’s baseball series opener was won by decision by the Fresno State Bulldogs.
In reality, the Bulldogs held on for a 7-5 triumph at Santa Ana Star Field after a few crucial mistakes backfired on host New Mexico. Due to the loss and Nevada’s 3-2 victory over San Jose State on Thursday, UNM (29-21, 16-12 Mountain West) needs to win the series’ final two games on Friday and Saturday in order to guarantee a first-round bye in the MWC tournament the following week.
Thursday’s outcome was a painful one for the home squad. Fresno State (27-26, 17-11) took the lead with four runs in the sixth inning, and the Lobos decided to keep starting pitcher Daxton Purser on the mound a little too long after two runners were thrown out at home plate in the hard-fought game.
Coach Tod Brown of UNM, who coaches the Lobos at third base, was ready to accept responsibility.
“We couldn’t get anything going offensively, but we pitched well enough to win,” Brown remarked. “I got Akili (Carris) thrown out in the eighth inning after making a mistake and forcing the action. I made a mistake while attempting to force something to happen in order to get us moving.
UNM appeared to be in good position after five innings, leading 5-2 courtesy to a pair of huge smashes by Ethan Ott. The Lobo first baseman capped a four-run rally in the fifth inning with a three-run blast to center field after hitting a solo home run in the fourth inning. Ott hit his 13th and 14th home runs of the season.