Baseball Can't Complete Double Header Sweep As New Mexico Wins 10-7 In Nightcap.

Albuquerque, NM—The offensive fireworks continued Saturday evening at Isotopes Field, but the Highlanders Baseball Team found itself on the wrong end of the fuse as New Mexico picked up a 10-7 victory in the second game of a double header (Box Score).

The Lobo (6-7) scored in seven of nine innings during the first game which UCR won 14-12. It was more of the same early in game two. UCR starter Ben Doucette gave up D.J. Peterson's third home run of the day in the bottom of the first. In the bottom of the second, the Lobos put five runners on base courtesy of two singles and three walks to go up 3--0.

The Highlanders (8-7) cut the New Mexico advantage to one in the top of the third, but they could have had more. Alex Rubanowitz opened the inning with a walk, and Devyn Bolasky singled through the right side advancing Rubanowitz to third. A balk moved Bolasky up 90 feet, and brought Ruabnowitz plateward.

After Eddie Young's groundout advanced Bolasky to third, Joe Chavez's infield single made it a 3-2 game. Clayton Prestridge reached on a fielding error by the shortstop to pur runners at first and second, and Kyle Boudrea walked to load the bases, but the Highlanders stranded all three.

Doucette struggled again in the bottom of the third forcing in a run with a bases loaded walk, and giving up a double down the left field line to Sam Haggerty that put New Mexico up 6-2.

The Highlanders got to Lobos starter Drew Bridges again in the top of the fourth as Zach Varela was hit by a pitch to start the inning and Vilter singled through the left side.

Jon Cueler replaced Bridges, and promptly loaded the bases by plunking Rubanowitz. Bolasky singled through the left side to drive in one run, and two batters later, Young plated two with another hit through the left side of the infield. Prestridge then singled to right center, and Boudreau's sac fly put UC Riverside on top 7-6.

Fans who followed the first two games of this series know better than to let down their guard, however, and it didn't take long for the Lobos to regain the lead.

Donovan Gonzales replaced Doucette to start the bottom of the fourth, and he allowed the first four batters to reach base tying the game at seven. After recording the first out of the inning on a line out to second, Gonzales forced another run home with a walk. The Lobos drove in another run on a fielder's choice before the Highlanders were able to get out of the inning.

UCR was unable to score in its half of the fifth, but New Mexico added another run to its lead in the bottom half thanks to a walk and a single.

That ended the scoring for the night as both team's pitching settled down in the sixth through ninth innings. Lobos reliever Josh Walker threw five scoreless innings to close out the game scattering just three hits. Kevin Sprague and Zach Varela combined to pitch the final 4.2 innings for UCR and didn't allow a single earned run.

The Highlanders and Lobos complete their four-game series on Sunday, March 10 with a noon PT first pitch.

Baseball Can't Complete Double Header Sweep As New Mexico Wins 10-7 In Nightcap.

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