Utes Drop Conference Opener

Thursday, March 8

Albuquerque, NM

2:00 PM MT

University of Utah

New Mexico

3/9/2001 12:00 AM | Baseball

March 8, 2001

Box Score

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -

Utah opened its conference schedule on Thursday with a 16-11 loss to the New Mexico Lobos. The Utes (10-10, 0-1 MWC) led at one poInt 6-3, but allowed the Lobos (10-13, 2-2 MWC) seven runs in the third inning. Utah never got closer than 12-9 after that.

Donnie Saba paced the Utes with four hits, including his fourth home run of the season. He also scored twice and drove in three. The Utes' leading hitter Tommy Maestas went 4-for-4 with two runs scored, three RBI and two doubles. Eight Utah starters had at least one hit.

Ryan Bailey (2-2) suffered the loss after allowing 10 earned runs in just 2.2 innings of work. He allowed six hits, walked two and had two strikeouts. David Ebright pitched the final 2.1 innings, allowing one run (zero earned) on two hits and striking out one.

New Mexico got three hits apiece from Chris Alexander and Anthony Lovato. Alexander also had three RBI. James Vermilyea (2-0) picked up the win for UNM after three innings of relief. He allowed three earned runs on two hits while walking two and recording one strikeout.

The two teams will play game two of the three-game series on Friday at 7:00 p.m. (MST) at the Albuquerque Sports Stadium.


New Mexico Lobos 16, Utah 11 (Mar 08, 2001 at Albuquerque, N.M.)------------------------------------------------------------Utah................ 015 003 002  - 11 16  2      (10-10)New Mexico Lobos.... 307 023 10X  - 16 16  2      (10-13)------------------------------------------------------------Pitchers: Utah - BAILEY, HEUSSER(3), RUSHTON(4), EBRIGHT(6). New Mexico Lobos - YOUNG, DA,VERMILYEA(4), GROSS(7), PEREZ(9).Win-VERMILYEA(2-0)  Save-PEREZ(3)  Loss-BAILEY(3-2)  T-3:24  A-690HR UU - SABA (4).