Lobos battle Oklahoma State in Extra Innings Thriller

The Lobos showed what a volatile offense they posses in the second of a three game series against the Cowboys. However, they also exposed the inconsistency of their pitching staff. The slugfest at Isotopes Park took 13 innings to decide and in the end it would be the team who made the least amount of mistakes.

The top of the 1^st inning saw the Cowboys plate 5 runs off the bats of Zach Fish and Victor Romero who had a 2-run home run a piece. Lobo starting pitcher, Anthony Consiglio, struggled with pitch command during his two innings of work as his pitches remained above the hitters’ belts and in the middle third of the plate. But Cowboy started Kenton Bevacqua would run into some command issues as well when the Lobos lit him up in the bottom of the 2^nd for 7 runs; the charge led by junior slugger DJ Patterson and his Grand Slam Home Run.

With Lobo relief pitcher Kevin Baumgartner, the Cowboys were held to a lone run plated in the 5^th inning and would not score during the rest of his 5 innings of impressive bump-work. The Lobos added to their lead with one run in the 5^th off reliever Jon Perrin, two in the 6^th off a trio of pitchers and then put up a 4 spot in the 7^th to stretch their lead to a staggering 14-6.

Once again the inconsistency struck at the most crucial point in the ball game as the Cowboys exploited the weaknesses of the Lobo bullpen. In both the 8^th and 9^th innings the Cowboys scored four runs. The final two to tie the game at 14 came on Tanner Krietemeier’s 2 RBI single with 2 outs.

Heading into extra innings, senior reliever Randy McCurry held the Lobos scoreless starting in the 8^th. It wouldn’t be until the top of the 13^th that the Cowboys finally scored the go ahead run as Jarrett Higgins hit an RBI single to score Gage Green who had just belted a double down the right field line. The Lobos had a chance to score in the bottom of the 12^th but a spectacular play was made by Donnie Walton at shortstop. Once again, down one in the bottom of the 13^th the Lobos managed to get Chase Harris 90 feet from scoring and the go ahead run represented by Sam Haggerty to 2^nd. Seniors Alex Allbritton and Josh Melendez both struck out and stranded the runners. With one out left Pinch hitter John Pustay hit a chopper to 2^nd that would end the game. Final score 15-14 OSU Cowboys

The Lobos play the final game of the series today at Isotopes Park at 1pm and look to figure out the inconsistencies with their pitching staff. Look for updates on my Twitter: @ChrisABQsports

Randy McCurry earned the win for the Cowboys going 5.2 innings allowing four hits and no runs on four strikeouts. Will Mathis of the Lobos was once again saddled with the loss as he gave up the final run in the 13^th.

Gametime: 5:13

Attendance 1,012

Bookmark with: