LAS CRUCES, N.M - The University of New Orleans took
their first lead of the game in the top of the eighth inning before New
Mexico State responded with five runs in the bottom of the frame to
take the lead back in a 11-8 win on Saturday afternoon.
NMSU (2-0), who led for a majority of the game including three run
leads at 3-0 and 5-2, only gave UNO the lead once at 7-6, that coming in
the eighth inning.
Christopher Auten led the Aggies with a 3-for-5 performance including
two RBIs that put NMSU on top for good in the bottom of the eighth.
Jeremy Joustra (1-0) picked up the win for the home team bailing NMSU
of a bases loaded jam before just allowing one run in the ninth.
UNO (0-2) got a 3-for-4 effort from Joey Butler, which included three
RBIs. Taking the loss for the Privateers was Tyler Sanders, making his
first collegiate appearance.
To take their first lead of the game, UNO's Mark McGonigle led off the
eigth frame for the Privateers with a single before advancing to second
on a balk. Justin Edwards doubled before Michael Knipper got on base
with an intentional walk. Ryan Eden reached on a fielder's choice
scoring McGonigle before two Privateers were retired to end the frame.
In the bottom of the inning, an error for the Privateers allowed NMSU's
Jake Hammons on base. He was replaced for a pinch runner in Geoff
Downing, representing the tying run. A Richard Stout single would score
Downing two batters later, knotting the game at seven.
An Auten single scored the two runs that put NMSU on top for good.
Auten would later score on another UNO error, the second of the inning,
to complete the scoring for the Aggies.
UNO would score one run in the ninth as Johnny Giavotella would score
from third on a Josh Vander Hey grounder, his second run of the game.
NMSU got runs on the board in the first five innings of play scoring
one run in each inning while putting up two in the second off of UNO
starter Stephen Whalen. Whalen finished with five innings of work while
allowing eight hits and six runs, five of which were earned.
Down 5-2 heading to the top of the 5th, the Privateers tied the game as
Butler homered to right field scoring T.J. Baxter and Giavotella. Baxter reached on a fielder's choice and advanced to second on a stolen base while Giavotella got on base with a walk.
After the Aggies went back on top 6-5 in the bottom of the frame, Edwards walked on a full count before advancing to third after
two wild pitches. An Eden sacrifice brought Edwards home to tie the
game at six apiece.
UNO and NMSU will complete their weekend series on Sunday with a 12:05 p.m CT first pitch.
