Lobos drop pair to Arizona, but learn they can compete with Wildcats

[Bloo]

"That is a program that has been outstanding for many, many years, and (U of A) Coach (Andy) Lopez told me after the game `What a difference.' and I said `Yeah, we're coming. Believe me, we're coming.'" Ray Birmingham, after the Lobos dropped the second of four games with Arizona on Wednesday, 4-2.

[Garishwolf]

They are getting better quick, it won't be long till the top 25,,,gras BLOO

[Yakkacat25]

"That is a program that has been outstanding for many, many years, and (U of A) Coach (Andy) Lopez told me after the game `What a difference.' and I said `Yeah, we're coming. Believe me, we're coming.'" Ray Birmingham, after the Lobos dropped the second of four games with Arizona on Wednesday, 4-2.


Lobos Edged Out By Arizona, 4-2

Tucson products Neda and Brownstein have two hits each for the Lobos

Mike Brownstein had two hits for the Lobos against Arizona on Wednesday.

April 16, 2008

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.-- The University of New Mexico baseball team put together a ninth-inning rally, but it wasn't enough as the Lobos fell to the University of Arizona, 4-2, Wednesday afternoon at Isotopes Park. The Lobos are now 24-14 overall while the Wildcats improve to 22-11.

Down 4-1 heading into the ninth, first baseman Kevin Atkinson started the inning with a single up the middle. Catcher Rafael Neda followed suit with a single of his own to put runners on first and second. With one out, pinch hitter Bobby Moore hit a RBI single scoring Atkinson and cutting the lead to 4-2. The Lobos fell short, however, stranding runners on first and third to give Arizona the victory.

"We've got two more games with Arizona next week and I cherish the opportunity. I thought our players competed," Lobo head coach Ray Birmingham said. "One thing that I do know, and one thing that these kids do believe, is that they are as good as the University of Arizona. That is a program that has been outstanding for many, many years, and (U of A) Coach (Andy) Lopez told me after the game `What a difference.' and I said `Yeah, we're coming. Believe me, we're coming.'"

After three scoreless innings, the Lobos put up the first run of the game in the bottom of the fourth. Brian Cavazos-Galvez led off with a double to left field and advanced to third on a fly out courtesy of Atkinson. Cavazos-Galvez scored via a sacrifice bunt by third baseman Ian Hollick giving UNM the 1-0 advantage.

The Lobo lead was short-lived, however, as the Wilcats put up a three-spot in the top of the fifth. Arizona capitalized on two situations with the bases loaded, using a pair of sac flies off the bats of left fielder Diallo Fon and C.J. Ziegler to take the lead, 2-1. The Wildcats would end the inning leading 3-1 after a Brad Glenn RBI single. Arizona padded the lead to 4-1 in the sixth with an RBI single from Daniel Butler that scored T.J. Steele, who led off the inning with a double.

Starter Will Kerr (2-2) was tacked with the loss, going 4.1 innings and surrendering three runs, two earned. Clinton Cox pitched three innings of scoreless relief out of the bullpen to finish the game.

Neda and Mike Brownstein led the Lobos with two hits each.

UNM will be back in Mountain West Conference action this weekend as Utah rolls into town for a three-game set. The series starts Friday, April 18 at 6 p.m. at Isotopes Park.

[Garishwolf]

MIKE SICK EM..........YAKKA I MEAN............LOL