MWC: Underdog Lobos Strike First

By Jason Owens - May 24, 2007

As if on cue, New Mexico put any end to thoughts of a pitchers' duel in the top of the second inning with two hits and two runs to strike first. After getting the first two batters out, BYU pitcher Jake Wortham (7-4, 4.52 ERA) walked no. 7 hitter Adam Courcha. Jay Russell followed with a single up the middle and Max Willett knocked Courcha in with a shot to center field while Russell advanced to third.

Then, in a sneaky double steal, Willett took off for second. Before BYU catcher J.T. Musso could react, Russell took off for home with both batters sliding in safe to give the Lobos their two-run margin.

BYU threatened in the bottom of the inning with two runners on and one out. But New Mexico pitcher Stephen Smith (6-8, 6.66 ERA) came through in the clutch, striking out J.T. Musso and Dan Vargas to end the inning.