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No. 5 New Mexico Eliminates No. 4 San Diego State The Lobos won the elimination game, 4-1, advancing to Friday's 11:00 am PT contest against UNLV.
May 24, 2007
CLICK HERE for recaps, box scores, live stats, photos and MORE! LAS VEGAS, Nev. - The fifth-seeded New Mexico Lobos (28-29) defeated the fourth-seeded San Diego State Aztecs (29-30) on the arm of a complete-game gem pitched by Jacob Norton. The Lobos won the elimination game, 4-1, advancing to Friday's 11:00 am PT contest against the UNLV Rebels at Earl E. Wilson Stadium.
New Mexico jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead with two runs in the second inning with help from a throwing error by SDSU's Nick Romero at third base. Ian Hollick opened the inning with a single to right and moved to second on a walk issued to Adam Courcha by Lance Sewell. A sacrifice bunt put down by Jay Russell moved both runners into scoring position. Scott Gracey stepped up and hit a grounder to Romero deep in the hole at third, but Romero's throw got past first base and allowed both runners to score.
The two-run lead was all that Norton would need as he improved his overall record to 5-7 this season. He allowed only one run on five hits. He struck out six and walked three.
After escaping a bases loaded situation in the top of the fourth, the Aztecs were able to get their only run off of Norton in the bottom half of the frame. A single by Brian Lucas brought in Romero from third. Romero reached base safely on a one-out single to left and made his way to third via a walk and a fielder's choice.
The Lobos pushed their lead back to two runs with a score in the fifth on two errors by Romero on the same play. Matt Hibbitts stepped up and delivered a two-out single into the hole at short and then raced around the bases when Romero misplayed a ball put in play by Hollick. Romero bobbled the grounder and then threw wildly to first.
UNM added an insurance run in the sixth on a single by Gracey. Jay Russell led off the inning by getting hit by a pitch thrown by Shane Kauffman, who entered in relief for the Aztecs in the fourth. Drew McDonald sacrificed Russell to second, prior to Gracey's run-scoring hit.
Sewell suffered the loss and drops to 5-6 to end the year. He went 3.0 innings in a start, but allowed two runs on four hits. He struck out one and walked two. |
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