PUEBLO, Colo. (GoThunderWolves.com - March 8, 2013) - A combined seven errors over two games Friday spelled the difference as CSU-Pueblo dropped two slim games to New Mexico Highlands, 5-3 and 8-7.
In the first game, CSU-Pueblo committed three errors as only three of its five surrendered runs ended up being earned. The big inning was the 7th, when New Mexico Highlands put a three on the board after an RBI triple by Jordan Goliat and a error by Chase Lacomb (Sr., Las Vegas, Nev.) allowed another run to score as the Cowboys took a 4-2 look it would never relinquish.
It was the first loss of the season for CSU-Pueblo starting pitcher Jeremiah Struble (Sr., Divide, Colo.), whose perfect 3-0 start was snapped after posting a solid but not dominating pitching line of three runs on nine hits over seven innings of work.
In the late game, CSU-Pueblo was on a roller coaster as it came back from a 3-0 deficit to post five runs in the fourth inning and take a 5-3 lead. CSU-Pueblo dented Cowboys starter Braulio Hernandez for eight hits during the five-run surge, using four hits and a Cowboy error to take the lead. The big hit came from Dominick Bregar (Fr., Pueblo, Colo.), whose two-run double tipped the scales in the Pack's favor.
After stretching the lead to 6-3, CSU-Pueblo broke down in the sixth inning. In a frustrating inning, CSU-Pueblo committed three errors, helping create four runs, none of them earned, as starter Sean Gavin (Sr., Canyon Country, Calif.) saw his day end because of it. He threw 5-1/3 innings, giving up four earned runs and striking out four.
CSU-Pueblo did threaten in the bottom of the 7th inning as, facing down reigning all-conference closer, Oscar Almeida, the Pack was able to draw three walks and get a hit as Almeida walked in a run to cut the lead to 8-7 with one out. But Almeida showed why he's the Cowboys' go-to guy in the pen, as he settled down to get a strike out and a fly out to keep the runners stranded and secure the Cowboy win.
CSU-Pueblo and New Mexico Highlands will square off again Saturday with a doubleheader scheduled for 12 p.m.
