WICHITA, Kan. – A three-run sixth and a six-run seventh helped New Mexico rally past Wichita State for a 12-9 win on Saturday afternoon at Eck Stadium.
The Shockers (8-10) got on the board with a pair of two-out runs in the bottom of the first.
Ross Cadena slapped an RBI single, then
Garrett Kocis lifted a high fly ball to left field that was lost in the sun for a run-scoring double and a 2-0 lead.
The Lobos (8-11) surged in front with a run in the second and two more in the third. An opposite-field two-run homer off the bat of Braydon Runion made it 3-2 Lobos, chasing WSU starter
Payton Tolle after just three innings.
The Wichita State offense struck back, tying the game in the fourth and then taking a 4-3 lead in the fifth when
Brock Rodden rolled an RBI single back through the middle to plate
Andrew Stewart.
New Mexico hung a three-spot on the board in the sixth to retake the lead at 6-4. The big blow in the inning came courtesy of a two-run blast from Lenny Junior Ashby.
In the bottom of the sixth, WSU scored three runs of their own.
Chuck Ingram and
Xavier Casserilla led off the inning with back-to-back solo home runs, then with two outs
Jordan Rogers swiped third base and came in to score on a throwing error by New Mexico catcher Shane Podsednik.
But the 7-6 lead would not last long, as the Lobos put together a six-run top of the seventh that included a pair of two-RBI knocks from Justin Olson and pinch-hitter Kyle Landers, putting UNM in front by the score of 12-7.
Rodden launched Wichita State's third home run of the day in the ninth, a two-run shot onto the berm in right field that made it 12-9. New Mexico reliever Brian McBroom was able to retire the next two Shockers, nailing down his third save.
Justin Still (1-1) earned the win in relief for the Lobos, while
Nate Adler (0-2) took the loss for Wichita State.
Sawyre Thornhill extended his hitting streak to 17 games with a seventh inning single.
Wichita State and New Mexico conclude the series on Sunday morning. First pitch is scheduled for 10:00 am.
