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Lobos Extra Innings Thriller at Isotopes Park |
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Written by Chris Martinez
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Sunday, 17 February 2013 00:44 |
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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 1st 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 2nd 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 5th 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 5th off reliever Jon Perrin, two in the 6th off a trio of pitchers and then put up a 4 spot in the 7th 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 8th and 9th 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 8th. It wouldn’t be until the top of the 13th 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 12th but a spectacular play was made by Donnie Walton at shortstop. Once again, down one in the bottom of the 13th the Lobos managed to get Chase Harris 90 feet from scoring and the go ahead run represented by Sam Haggerty to 2nd. 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 2nd 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 13th.
Gametime: 5:13
Attendance 1,012
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Lobo Baseball Back In Action |
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Written by Chris Martinez
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Friday, 15 February 2013 23:42 |
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Lobos Square off with Cowboys in Season Opener
With a Conference championship in their rear view mirror and the Oklahoma State Cowboys, picked to finish 5th in the Big 12, in their windshield, the Lobos began the long trek which may one day end in Omaha, NE.
The Lobos would send junior transfer AJ Carman to the mound to face the Big 12’s fourth best prospect and a sixth round draft pick back in 2010, Jason Hursh; a tall order to ask a kid on the bump for his first D1 appearance. Carman wasn’t fooling anyone during the four innings he pitched but he managed to hold the Cowboys to a single run. Hursh showed more dominance and pitched through the 6th after getting touched up for two runs in the bottom of the 5th. Rio Rancho High School grad, Josh Walker, came in for three innings of relief work for the Lobos and allowed one run on two hits.
The 7th inning saw UNM lose any momentum they had. With Josh Melendez on third and Ryan Padilla (LCHS) on first with one out DJ Peterson hit a deep fly ball to center field. It was deep enough to score Melendez easily, however for some ridiculous reason Padilla decided to tag at first and attempt to advance to 2nd. He was thrown out at almost the same time Melendez scored which meant Melendez’s run did not count.
In the top of the 9th Preseason Mountain West All-Conference Pitcher Hobie McClain took the mound ready to continue the success he had closing out ballgames in 2012. He got Cowboy left fielder Gage Green to ground to second only to have freshman Sam Haggerty commit his botch the play and allow Green to reach safely. Pinch Hitter Tanner Krietemeier hit a seeing eye single threw the middle of the infield to score Green and take the lead. He would later score on a double by Randy McCurry to put the Cowboys up 4-2 heading into the bottom of the 9th.
The Lobos were able to get two runners on base including last year’s New Mexico High School Baseball Player of the Year Jered Meek (Carlsbad High School) who, in his first collegiate at bat, got his first hit. However, the Lobos failed to plate any runs resulting in a loss in their season opener. They will face the Cowboys in the second game of this three game series today at 2pm. Follow me on Twitter at @ChrisABQsports for game updates.
DJ Peterson paced the Lobos at the plate going 2-4 with an RBI.
Winning Pitcher: Brenden McCurry (1-0)
Losing Pitcher: Will Mathis (0-1)
Attendance: 1,385
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Eagles Team Effort Tops Alford and the Bears |
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Written by Chris Martinez
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Thursday, 07 February 2013 23:25 |
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Eldorado High School @ La Cueva High School- 2/7
I had a coach who would constantly repeat a variation on a quote by Aristotle. “The sum of our whole has to be greater than the sum of their individual parts.” Well the sum of La Cueva’s individual parts was not greater than the sum of Eldorado’s individual parts tonight as the Eagles downed the Bears 80-69 in boy’s basketball.
The gym at La Cueva High School was packed to the rafters to see a rematch of last year’s 5A state championship game and the top two players in the state, Bryce Alford and Cullen Neal, go head to head. The tale of this game could be told in two consecutive possessions during the 2nd quarter.
Neal brought the ball into the front court blew past his defender into the lane where three La Cueva players awaited. He tossed the ball up toward the rim as senior forward Zach Lee snagged the pass and threw it down with authority.
Alford got the ball and dribbled between a couple Eldorado defenders and then drove hard to the basket where his shot was contested by three Eagle defenders as he threw up a tough layup which failed to thread the hoop.
The Eagles have limped their way to a 14-6 record this year but they look to be hitting their state championship winning form as district play heats up. The return of Lee was the missing piece as he was injured during the rough patch and could not add his defensive presence and unmatched athleticism. Zach Gentry has taken over the traditional role of a forward by setting picks, crashing the boards, and scoring from the paint. Kane Martinez is a chameleon; he finds success in every aspect of the game. Tobien Brazier was the wildcard of this game, he led the Eagles in scoring and helped to frustrate Alford more than anyone has this season.
I’m not saying the rest of the Bears are terrible players, I saw them be a great supporting cast for Alford in the Metro Championship against Atrisco Heritage and against Cleveland a few weeks ago. However, the Bears as a team, on their best night, can’t beat the Eagles, as a team, on their best night. If Bryce has a tough night like he just did (I say this after he scored 37 points—just a testament to the caliber of player he is) his teammates’ weaknesses are magnified. When Lebron James joined the Cleveland Cavaliers he immediately took them to a playoff and NBA Finals team. Why? Because he has a skill set that allows his teammates’ strengths to be highlighted rather than their weaknesses. This is what Alford does for his team.
I look forward to the next time these teams play on 2/19. I hope Alford and his teammates are back on their game because that will be a nail biter. ABQ Sports will be there once again so stay tuned.
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Written by Chris Martinez
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Tuesday, 29 January 2013 23:28 |
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Bryce Alford
All Time 5A Scoring Leader
“Records are made to be broken,” and on January 29th Bryce Alford became the All-Time 5A Leading Scorer in New Mexico. Going into the non-district game against the Cleveland Storm, Alford had 2,003 career points. He unknowingly had Marcus Williams, Rio Rancho 2008 graduate, in his sights who ended an amazing career as a Ram with 2,009 points. Alford went into the game averaging 38.2 ppg so the seven points he needed to break the record would not take the whole game.
He got to work quickly by knocking down a trey to put him at 2,006 points. A few possessions later Alford brought the ball down the court and with a defender in his face, drilled another shot from behind the arc to tie the record. All he had to do was hit one more shot and he would stand alone atop the best scorers who ever played 5A. Alford brought the ball into the front court, with one defender guarding him, he used his quick first step to blow by him and cut to the rack. As he elevated to the rim a Storm player aggressively contested. Alford let the ball go just as the defender made contact and the referee blew the whistle. The ball rattled around the rim then slid through the net as Alford slid into the top spot of the record books—and 1!
Bryce Alford is the most exciting high school basketball player in New Mexico. He carries himself with confidence and leads his team with a basketball IQ that rivals that of seasoned college basketball players. He makes his teammates around him better, forget what you hear about the one man show, Alford may take the most shots but the La Cueva Bears have been instilled with discipline by Coach Frank Castillo.
Alford now sits at 2,042 points. He has nine regular season games to add to his record and climb higher in the all-time state records. The ultimate goal is another state championship but along the way he will climb toward Isaac Bejarano of Hagerman who currently sits atop the entire state as the all-time scorer with 2,516 points. I do believe that Alford will without a doubt climb all the way to 2nd as he only needs 182 points to gain that spot. But watch out for Cullen Neal of Eldorado. He currently has 1,979 points and will certainly keep pace with Alford.
If you have not had the opportunity to watch this young man play, be sure to do it. You will regret not being able to talk about seeing Bryce Alford play in high school. Expect big things from this big time scorer, and BELIEVE THE HYPE.
See our exclusive interview with Bryce Alford after setting the new record, follow the link below:
http://www.youtube.com/user/abqsportsmagtv?feature=watch
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 30 January 2013 11:02 |
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NEW MEXICO'S PREMIERE SPORTS MAGAZINE
