The University of New Mexico baseball team was faced with some difficult situations throughout Tuesday night's game against Oklahoma at Santa Ana Star Field.
Initially, the defense helped get the pitching staff out of those jams, but eventually the Sooners broke through and recorded plenty of runs to take the first of two matchups by a score of 8-1.
Freshman right-hander Tristan Lively got the start for UNM, but the hurler got into trouble after giving up a single and issuing a walk to the first two batters. Oklahoma designated Cade Cavalli doubled home a run, but Lively was able to get a huge bases-loaded strikeout to limit the damage to just 1-0 after a half inning of play.
The Sooners left two more men on base and were denied again in the top of the third after UNM shortstop Hayden Schilling turned a crisp double play to end the away half and preserve the 1-0 score.
Oklahoma broke through again in the fourth inning and made the Lobos pay when the defense was unable to turn what looked to be a routine double play. The play went into the books as an error and the Sooners extended its lead to 3-0 before Nico Garza came on in relief of Lively to record the final out of the away fourth with a strikeout.
New Mexico had its best offense output in the bottom of the fourth with just one away. UNM third baseman Ediberto Reyes took ball four on a full count to walk home the lone run for the home team. But it was the Lobos' turn to leave the bases full as Zack Doak roped a liner to the first baseman, which Tyler Hardman stabbed to record the record out and rob the freshman of a potential game tying single. OU pitcher Ben Abram registered a strikeout to end the threat and keep the score 3-1.
The Sooners were able to break things open in the sixth. Hardman belted out a 2-run double to the left field side and OU plated two more runs after a wild pitch got away, scoring the lead runner, as well as Brylie Ware. That made the score 7-1 heading into the bottom of the seventh.
But the Lobos were never able to mount a serious scoring threat — failing to get a runner past first base for the remainder of the game. The Sooners were able to add an insurance run and eventually pick up the 8-1 victory.
Abrams picked up the win to move to 5-0 on the season, while Lively took the loss and fell to 1-1. New Mexico's overall record dropped to 11-8 on the year.
The two schools will square off again on Wednesday at Santa Ana Star Field again to wrap up the two-game series. First pitch is scheduled for noon.
Robert Maler is the sports editor for the Daily Lobo. He primarily covers basketball and baseball and contributes content for various other sports as well. He can be contacted at sports@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @Robert_Maler.
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