It wasn’t the high scoring affair UNM has gotten accustomed to, but the Lobos still walked out of Roswell, New Mexico Tuesday with a 3-2 win over NMSU at the neutral site.
Junior catcher Chris DeVito played the role of hero for New Mexico with a two-out RBI base hit to even the season series up at 1-1 against the in-state-rival Aggies (17-12).
UNM’s leadoff hitter, Luis Gonzalez, traded his outfield glove for his pitching one, getting the nod for the third time this season. Gonzalez is an everyday centerfielder, but also takes to the rubber when called upon.
Gonzalez kept New Mexico in the ballgame, allowing just one run on four hits in his six innings of work.
The southpaw wasn’t able to pick up his third win of the year (2-0) but was able to set the stage for DeVito by keeping the game tight.
The Lobos jumped to an early 2-0 lead in the fourth inning coming off a two-RBI single from Austin Bell. Gonzalez would give up one more run atop the sixth inning on a sac-fly in his final inning of the game.
James Harrington gave up a run in his inning of relief at the top of the seventh.
However, the 2-2 tie wouldn’t last long as Dalton Bowers reached base on an error, coming around to score on DeVito’s line drive to center field to take the 3-2 lead.
Left-handed closer Alex Estrella closed out the ballgame efficiently with a two-out save. He only needed 22 pitches against six batters, three of which he struck out.
New Mexico (20-9, 9-3 MW) will face off against Fresno State, who also holds a 9-3 conference record, for a battle to claim solo position of first-place this weekend. The opening pitch of the three-game set is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Friday.
Liam Cary-Eaves is the sports editor for the Daily Lobo. He primarily covers volleyball, women’s basketball and baseball. He can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @Liam_CE.
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