Box Score

Season Stats

LAS VEGAS, N.M.  – A RBI double from Nick Gonzales in the bottom of the 10^th plated the winning run as New Mexico Highlands upset No. 10 West Texas A&M 2-1 in the rubber match of a three-game series Saturday afternoon.  With the loss, the Buffs fell to 8-4 on the year, while NMHU improved to 6-4.
 
In a true pitcher's duel that saw a combined 11 hits and both pitchers going eight or more innings (18 combined), New Mexico Highlands scored the tying run with two outs in the bottom of the ninth and then used a leadoff walk, sacrifice bunt and the Gonzales double for the win.  It was the sixth game this season decided by one run for the Buffs.  WT now is 3-3 in those games.  It also marked the second 10-inning, walk-off loss of the season.
 
A two out double from senior Ryan March got things started for the Buffs in the third inning for their best offensive threat to that point.  Senior Matt Cole singled and March scored for a 1-0 lead as WT took the first lead in each of the three games in the series this weekend. 
 
The Cowboys used a leadoff single and a throwing error but NMHU in scoring position with nobody out in the bottom of the fifth.  A one out walk followed putting two on for the Cowboys.  WT turned its second double play of the game to get out of the jam and preserving the 1-0 lead.
 
Cole doubled down the right field line to begin the top of the ninth for the Buffs.  A ground out moved Cole to third with one out, but a strikeout got the second out for the Cowboys and the Buffs stranded Cole at third with a fly out to left for the third Buff left on the bases.
 
The heart of the Cowboy order came to bat in the bottom of the ninth.  Matthew Chavez, the reigning NCBWA South Central Region Player of the Week, doubled to left to begin the bottom of the ninth for the first hit for the Cowboys since the fifth inning. 
 
WT made a call to the bullpen in favor of senior Paul Lujan replacing starter Brooks Trujillo who went eight innings, allowing four hits, three walks and three strikeouts.  It marked Trujillo's second no decision that ended in walk-off fashion (L, 4-3 vs. Southern Arkansas). 
 
Lujan got a strikeout for the first out, but hit the next batter putting the winning run at first.  A line out to center brought the Buffs within one out of the win.  A RBI single from Kenneth Fudge tied the game at one on a 2-1 count as Lujan got the third out sending the game to extra inning.
 
WT began the top of the 10^th with single from Jace Reese through the left side.  A pair of ground outs moved Reese to third with two away as WT put a runner at third in the second consecutive inning and again was unable to get them across with another ground out.  WT left four on base for the game.
 
Senior Kyle Olason relieved Lujan to begin the bottom of the 10^th.  A leadoff walk put the winning run at first for the Cowboys.  WT made another call to the bullpen in favor of senior Sean Michel as Olason pitched to just one batter.  A sacrifice bunt moved the runner to second with one away.  Gonzales hit the double for the winning run. 
 
Cole led the way offensively for the Buffs going 2 for 4 with a RBI and a double.  Chavez was 2 for 4 with a double for the Cowboys.  Olason (2-2) took the loss, while NMHU starter Curtis Hynes (3-0) went the distance, allowing one earned run on five hits with no walks and he fanned four in 10 innings.
 
WT returns home to prepare for Lone Star Conference play at LSC preseason favorite Texas A&M-Kingsville next Friday for a four game series.