Lobos drop series to Bulldogs

FRESNO, Calif. — New Mexico scored three in the first inning, but it didn’t hold up and Fresno State scored five unanswered before UNM left the tying run at third in the ninth as the host Bulldogs took the rubber match of the threegame series, 5-4 on Sunday.

The Lobos (6-8-1, 2-4 Mountain West) struck first with three runs in the top of the first off Oscar Carvajal. Danny Collier opened the game with a single, and he was sacrificed to second by Justin Watari. After a strikeout, Chris Dunn singled home Collier for a 1-0 lead.

Derek Marshall, in just his third start doubled to make it 2-0, and Robby Campillo did likewise to make it 3-0.

Tasked with holding that lead was Cody Dye, but Fresno State eventually tied and took the lead. In the third, a leadoff error led to an unearned run, making it 3-1. In the fourth J.T. Arruda led off with a walk, and he went to third on a wild pitch and a passed ball. Jeremiah Burks singled Arruda home, and then he scored when Miles Tomczak singled with two outs, tying the game at 3.

In the sixth, Dye allowed a two-out homer to Zach Presno, giving Fresno State the lead for good, and they added on a key insurance run in the eighth. In the ninth, pinch hitter Daniel Zakosek walked and he went to third when Danny Collier doubled. Hayden Schilling grounded to second to drive in Zakosek, making it 5-4 and putting the tying run on third. However, UNM couldn’t get Collier in. Jeff Deimling and pinch hitter Daniel Herrera both struck out.

UNM outhit Fresno State 9-8.

Both Collier and Campillo had two hits.