ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Despite overcoming a five-run deficit, the Diamond 'Dogs suffered a heartbreaking 9-8 loss in 11 innings to New Mexico on Sunday in the series finale at Santa Ana Star Field. A walk-off single by New Mexico shortstop Chase Weissenborn with two outs in the bottom of the 11th drove in the game-winning run for the Lobos.
The 'Dogs had taken a 8-7 lead in the top of the 11th on a solo home run by Tommy Hopfe, his first career home run, but the Lobos came back with a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame in the Bulldogs' first extra-inning contest of the season.
Finishing with 14 hits as a team, the 'Dogs scored in five of the final six innings and were led by three-hit performances from both Zach Morgan and Payton Allen.
Ivan Luna, Vinny Bologna and Hopfe each tallied two hits apiece with Bologna hitting a tying two-run home run in the top of the ninth.
On the pitching side, the 'Dogs used six pitchers in the contest with Roman Angelo making his second start before giving way to Nikoh Mitchell, Robbie Peters, Trevor Garcia, Hopfe and Zach Statzer.
Statzer was the tough luck loser despite throwing season-high marks in strikeouts (7) and innings pitched (3.2).
How It Happened
The Lobos pushed across five runs in the second inning to jump out to a 5-0 lead. With Lobo starting pitcher Tristan Lively holding the 'Dogs to one hit through the first five innings, Morgan finally got the 'Dogs offense jumpstarted in the sixth with a solo home run and an RBI single by Allen in the seventh brought the 'Dogs within three.
A three-run eighth for the 'Dogs tied the game at five apiece with Bolonga lacing an RBI single back up the middle and Allen again came through in the clutch with a two-run RBI single to left.
The Lobos answered back in the bottom of the frame with a two-run home run by Lenny Junior Ashby that smacked off the right field line foul pole to take a 7-5 lead, but Bologna launched a two-run shot to left-center in the ninth to tie the game and send it to extras.
Hopfe's home run in the 11th put the 'Dogs up one, but the Lobos tied it up with an RBI double by David. A pair of intentional walks loaded the bases with one down, and after Statzer was able to mow down Cody Holtz, Weissenborn came through with the game-winning hit that found its way through the left side.
Up next
The 'Dogs return home to host Harvard (6-5) on Tuesday at 5:05 p.m. PT.
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