In a season full of unbelievable rallies, it seemed the New Mexico baseball team would once again do the unthinkable against San Diego State to take home the Mountain West Conference tournament title.
However, the thirteenth-ranked Lobos comeback would come up just short and the Aztecs took the crown with a 9-4 victory earning an automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament.
Heading into the bottom of the eighth, UNM trailed SDSU 5-2. Senior outfielder Luke Campbell started off the inning with a single followed by another single from senior left fielder Josh Melendez. With two outs, senior shortstop Alex Allbritton smashed a single to plate Campbell to make the score 5-3.
Freshman Jodie Meeks then lined a ball down the right field line for an RBI double, but Allbritton was thrown out on a bang-bang play at home plate to preserve the Aztec lead at 5-4.
In the top of the ninth, SDSU put the game away for good with a four-run frame to kill any chances of a UNM rally.
Junior pitcher Jake McCasland (1-1) worked three innings allowing three runs. Senior pitcher Gabe Aguilar punched out three in two innings. Junior third baseman DJ Peterson and Allbritton went 2-for-4 and Melendez went 2-for-3 with three runs. Campbell and Peterson made the All-Tournament Team along with senior catcher Mitch Garver.
The NCAA Selection Show is today at 10 a.m. and Doc and Eddy’s will hold a watch party starting at 9:30. Fans are invited to come watch the NCAA bracket be revealed.
