PUEBLO, Colo. (April 8, 2022) – A tough eighth inning by Colorado State University Pueblo (20-15, 11-6 RMAC) led to a 12-6 conference loss to New Mexico Highlands University (10-23, 6-11 RMAC) Friday night.
 
The first pitch of ballgame saw New Mexico Highlands' leadoff man hit a home run to left field and give the Cowboys a 1-0 lead after the first inning. The ThunderWolves responded in a big way in the bottom half of the frame.
 
With one out, Noah Hennings drew a walk and soon advanced to third off a single to right centerfield from Reggie Williams. Trey Vasquez followed up the single with one of his own and batted home Hennings from third. 
 
After a wild pitch advanced Vasquez to second base, Ty Lewis slapped a single up the middle and scored Williams and Vasquez to give the Pack a 3-1 lead after one inning.
 
Following the explosive first inning from both sides, the Pack's pitcher, Tim McIntyre settled in on the mound. The second and third frame for the hurler saw two combined hits and no real threat from the Cowboys.
 
In the bottom of the third, Lewis singled to right once again and batted home Vasquez from second after getting aboard via a double to left center. The 4-1 lead was quickly shrunk to 4-3 after a two-run fourth inning by the Cowboys.
 
Despite the two-run fourth by Highlands, McIntyre began to hit his stride on the hill. In his final three innings as the Pack's pitcher, McIntyre struck out five Cowboys and sent the game into the eighth inning with the Pack clinging to a 4-3 lead.
 
New Mexico Highlands bats hit big in the eighth. The Cowboys notched nine runs off seven hits in the eighth and put the Pack in a 12-4 hole headed into the bottom of the inning.
 
CSU Pueblo tried to respond in the bottom of the frame with some more runs of its own. Max Pawela kicked off the inning with a single and Jaden Hill followed up by drawing a walk. Brodie Blackford made contact and forced a throwing error by the charging third baseman to score Pawela from second base. Hennings was able to bat home Hill next and close the deficit to 12-6 after the eighth inning.
 
Cole Knightley was able to keep the game at 12-6 and give the ThunderWolves a chance in the bottom of the ninth. Unfortunately, the bats were not able to come alive for the Pack and CSU Pueblo ultimately fell 12-6.
 
Vasquez batted 3-4 with an RBI on the night and was accompanied by a 2-4, three RBI performance by Lewis. Pawela tacked on two hits in four at-bats during the night.
 
McIntyre tied his season-best tally of nine strikeouts in seven innings pitched after he ended the game with a no decision. 
 
Following the 12-6 loss Friday night, CSU Pueblo looks to bounce back Saturday, as the team faces New Mexico Highlands at noon in an action-packed weekend doubleheader.