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Tech, NMSU Split Doubleheader
May 16, 2008 LAS CRUCES, N.M. - A pair of errors, a wild pitch and several hits led to a big eighth inning for New Mexico State, giving the Aggies a 14-8 victory over Louisiana Tech in the second game of a doubleheader on Friday night at Presley Askew Field. Tech (22-30, 6-22 WAC) held an 8-7 lead heading to the bottom of the eighth in what had been a back-and-forth contest the whole way, but shaky defense and some timely hitting gave the Aggies (27-30, 14-16 WAC) a much-needed victory as they fight for seeding in next week's conference tournament. "We let that one get away from us," Tech head coach Wade Simoneaux said. "One really bad inning cost us a sweep of the doubleheader." Andrew Lassere (2-4) was charged with the loss, giving up four runs (three earned) in 2.1 innings pitched while walking and striking out two apiece. Dylan Moseley got the start and gave up seven run on eight hits over five innings pitched. Adam Cobb had his second big game, going 3-for-5 with three RBI and two runs scored. Albie Goulder and Chris Kersten each had a pair of hits, and Kersten had four RBI on the night. All three hit home runs in the game, as did Nick Grunenwald. For the second straight game, Tech jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Jericho Jones lofted a sacrifice fly to bring home Adam Cobb. The Aggies would answer with two in the bottom of the inning on the strength of a two-run home run by Chris Auten, giving New Mexico State a 2-1 lead. But the NMSU lead wouldn't last long. Cobb blasted a three-run homer - his eighth of the year - over the center field wall to put the Bulldogs ahead 4-2 in the top of the second inning. The Bulldogs would then add to the lead in the third when a Goulder double was followed up by a Kersten single to make it 5-2 Tech. NMSU inched its way back in the bottom of the third, scoring two runs on a two-RBI double from Chris Auten to make it 5-4. The Aggies looked to have taken the upper hand in the sixth with a three-run outburst, highlighted by a Franky Busani two-run homer, putting the Aggies ahead 6-5. They would tack on one more as an RBI single from Joseph Scaperotta brought in Bryan Marquez to make it 7-5. A solo home run by Nick Grunenwald brought Tech to within a run at 7-6 in the top of the seventh. Another solo shot in the eighth by Goulder would tie the game, and Tech would take the lead when an error at third base with two out allowed Clay Alexander to score from second, putting the Bulldogs ahead 8-7. The wheels, however, would completely fall off in the bottom of the eighth. Three singles brought in the tying run, and an error at second base on a potential double-play ball allowed the Aggies to plate the go-ahead run. With the bases loaded and two out, Richard walked in a run on a close call on ball four to make it 10-8 NMSU. Another error kept the inning alive and made it 11-8, then a wild pitch brought in another run to push the lead to 12-8. Richard Stout would then rip a double to left, bringing in two more runs. Tech wouldn't fold the tents quickly as Kersten blasted a three-run homer to pull the `Dawgs within striking distance at 14-11. But that would be all Tech could manage. The two teams will play the third of a four-game series with a 7:05 p.m. Central start on Saturday. The broadcast can be heard on ESPN 97.7 FM (online at www.espn977.com), but depending on the outcome of the Lady Techsters' NCAA Regional softball game at Texas A&M, the broadcast may be joined in progress. Live stats, however, will be available throughout the entire contest by logging on to www.latechsports.com. |
