One More Game for All the Marbles

Last Three Games Should Decide it All

Or so you'd think. I'm writing this at a friend's house who's charging me horrible rates to use his internet. I was in the wilds of Nevada for about 2 ½ days with no service at all. I'm telling you, it was horrible. Back to the subject. This is Saturday and both San Diego State and Nevada have been eliminated from regular season title contention. That doesn't mean they'll quit. That ALWAYS means they'll try and ruin it for some other team. In this case that means Nevada hopes to make life miserable for UNLV. It has not worked out that way as UNLV has taken the first two games in dominating fashion. Then there's Air Force. They're the pesky bastids doing nasty things to New Mexico. The Lobos won the first but lost the second which tied up the race for the title. I told you about the Falcons. Today's last game will decide if they will remain tied or if there is to be a winner.

Air Force (10-19) at New Mexico (19-10)
The Falcons started out the year just as badly as in the past few years. At this point they're only a half game out of the cellar but have played competitively as of late. I mean just ask New Mexico. The Lobos and Falcons have split the first two games and both have been close. I've been impressed by the pitching of both teams in this series. The Lobos won game one 2-1 as Aaron Siple got a bases loaded single in the bottom of the tenth to win the tight affair. Both starting pitchers did well as Cameron White gave up no runs for the Falcons and Josh Walker gave up no earned runs for the Lobos. It must have been fun to watch. New Mexico's Chase Harris went 4 for 4 and Lane Milligan went 3 for 5. Game two was more of the same as Air Force won another pitchers' duel 3-1. Both Griffin Jax and Colton Thomson pitched well but didn't figure in the final stats. The Falcons scored two runs in the top of the eighth to break a 1-1 tie and that proved to be the difference. The Falcons' David Thomas singled to knock in the deciding run. The final game is today.

Nevada (15-14) at UNLV (19-10)
The Rebels have been taking care of business. I'll put it that way. The offense has decided it will help out a bit as the pummel the Pack's pitching. Game one went the Rebels' way 8-1. Designated hitter A.J. Hernandez did most of the damage as he went 3 for 4 with 4 RBIs. Joey Armstrong added a solo home run to add to the festivities. John Richy (10-3) went 7 IP and struck out 7 and walked 1. What a year he's had. Here's a stat; 107 pitches with 75 of them strikes. If you throw strikes, you'll win. Game two also went UNLV's way 17-9. The Wolf Pack got their hits (15) but found themselves in one hell of a hole after one inning. An 8-run inning by the Rebels erased the elation of a 3-run inning for the Pack. Austin Byler hit his 14th dinger but it wasn't enough. T.J. White went 4 for 5, Patrick Armstrong went 2 for 5 with 3 RBIs, and Edgar Montes went 3 for 5 for the winners. Last game today and UNLV is certainly hot.

San Diego State (16-13) at Fresno State (13-16)
The Aztecs and the Bulldogs have split their two games that had little bearing on standings. The Aztecs won the first game 9-2 behing Bubba Derby (7-3) who ends up having a fine season. He gives up only 2 runs on 3 hits in 5 1/3 IP. The seven strikeouts he threw barely kept his team awake in the field. Steven Pallares hit a home run for the winners. The mutts evened up the series by winning 4-3 and it shouldn't have been that close. The Aztecs scored two runs in the ninth on two hits to put some fear in Bulldogs' fans hearts but they held on. One more game and the season is done. I suspect neither team will advance but there is always tournament time. No comment.

San Jose State (18-36 and 10-20 conference)
Season over.