ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Host New Mexico snapped a 4-4 tie with three unearned runs in the bottom of the sixth inning and the Lobos (1-0) went on to defeat Binghamton (0-1) 8-4 in a battle of 2016 NCAA teams Friday night at Santa Ana Star Field.
The BearcatsĀ nearly got out of the jam in the sixth inning but a two-out, two-run infield throwing error opened the floodgates and the Lobos added two more unearned runs to finish the scoring. Binghamton outhit New Mexico 8-7 but registered just one hit after the fourth inning. The Lobos entered the game in the national polls (receiving votes) and as the preseason favorite in the Mountain West Conference. The have played in the NCAAsĀ in five of the last seven years.Ā
Sophomore
Nick Gallagher (0-1) absorbed the loss despite a strong showing. He went 4.0 innings and scattered three hits and no earned runs. Gallagher entered in the bottom of the second inning with the bases loaded and got a fly ball ball to strand three. He then shut down the Lobos until the two-out error in the sixth. Junior
Joe Orlando went the final 2.1 innings and allowed one hit and one unearned run.
Senior right fielder
Eddie Posavec had three RBI, junior shortstop
Paul Rufo went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and sophomore third baseman
Justin YurchakĀ went 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored.
Binghamton struck first in the opening inning. Rufo had a one-out single, YurchakĀ singled and then Posavec delivered a two-out, two-run double to left field to give BU a 2-0 lead.
New Mexico countered with two runs on three hits in the bottom of the first to tie it at 2-2. The Lobos then took a 4-2 lead with two runs in the second. They were aided by four walks and a hit batter in the inning before Gallagher relieved senior starter
Jake Cryts and limited the damage.
In the third inning, BU drew even when YurchakĀ plated Rufo with an RBI double and Posavec brought home Yurchak with an RBI groundout.
But BU's offense was held in check over the final six innings.
The teams continue the three-game set with a 4 p.m. (ET) game on Saturday. Junior
Jacob WloczewskiĀ takes the hill for the Bearcats.
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