ALBUQUERQUE -- Joe Salas provided the hitting and the pitching for New Mexico in a 10-8 defeat of BYU on Saturday at Isotopes Park.

After homering in game one on Thursday and picking up his third save on Friday, the Lobos' power-hitting closer drove in two runs in the fifth with a wind-aided blast over the left field fence. Salas (1-1) then closed out the game by pitching an inning and two-thirds for his first win. The senior struck out the side in the ninth to seal New Mexico's comeback victory.

"I applaud New Mexico for battling back," said BYU head coach Vance Law. "I think we're a pretty even ball club with them. But in this series, they came out on top."

The Cougars trailed most of the game by three runs but scored five runs on only one hit in the eighth to take an 8-6 lead. The Lobos struggled to find the strike zone, walking three and hitting one in the inning. Two errors also assisted the BYU drive.

New Mexico's control woes transferred over to the Cougars in the bottom half of the eighth. Four BYU pitchers combined for two walks and two hit batters. After hitting the first Lobo batter to start the inning, the Cougars looked to have control of the inning when Ryan Barba hit a ground ball to second. However, both runners were safe when an error spoiled a double play, allowing New Mexico to take the lead back with four runs in the inning.

"It's very frustrating," Law said. "Frankly, we didn't deserve to win the ball game, but we'll take them any way we can get. But we gave the game right back in our half of the eighth."

BYU ended a 13-inning scoreless streak with a run in the fourth inning. Casey Cloward drove in the run with an RBI two-out double down the right field line to tie the game at one. After the Lobos took a 4-1 lead in the fifth, the Cougars drew within one with a two-run home run by Brandon Taylor. The homer is Taylor's team-leading seventh on the season. He finished 3-for-5, scoring three runs and driving in two.

Sophomore Justin Su'a (2-1) started the game for BYU, pitching four and a third innings. He allowed four runs on 11 hits while striking out three. Nick Lemon (1-2) picked up his second loss after coming into the game in the eighth.

"It's unfortunate," Law said. "Nobody's feeling any worse than our ball club right now. We just can't put a finger on our problems right now. We're just going to go back to the drawing board again and see if we can get things straightened out for next week."

With the sweep, the Cougars fall to 13-22 and 3-6 in the Mountain West Conference while New Mexico improves to 10-16-1 and 6-3. BYU will finish it's nine-game road trip with a three-game series at UNLV begininng Thursday. The Cougars next home game is April 15 against San Diego State.

BYU at New Mexico
Apr 03, 2004 at Albuquerque, N.M. (Isotopes Park)
BYU 8 (13-22,3-6 MWC)
Player                    AB  R  H RBI BB SO PO  A LOB
------------------------------------------------------
CHAMBERS, Ryan cf........  4  0  1  1   1  1  1  0   0
KNELL, Kory lf...........  4  0  0  0   0  0  3  0   0
ITRI, Rob dh.............  4  0  1  1   0  0  0  0   0
HIESTAND, Jeff rf........  4  1  0  0   1  1  0  0   5
 LAW, Tim 1b.............  0  0  0  0   0  0  1  0   0
SAYLOR, Ben 1b/rf........  5  1  1  0   0  3  6  1   0
TAYLOR, Brandon ss.......  5  3  3  2   0  1  1  3   0
WIENS, Ranger 3b.........  2  0  0  0   0  2  0  2   0
 BILLS, Kevin ph.........  0  0  0  0   1  0  0  0   0
 LUCAS, Blair 3b.........  1  1  1  0   1  0  0  1   0
CLOWARD, Casey c.........  4  1  2  1   0  0  8  1   1
VEST, Wade 2b............  4  1  0  1   1  1  3  3   4
SU'A, Justin p...........  0  0  0  0   0  0  1  1   0
 STAMBAUGH,J.D. p........  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0   0
 BURGER, Bryce p.........  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0   0
 BEUS, Lance p...........  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0   0
 LEMON, Nick p...........  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0   0
 PARSONS, Kalen p........  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0   0
Totals................... 37  8  9  6   5  9 24 12  10
New Mexico 10 (10-16-1,6-3 MWC)
Player                    AB  R  H RBI BB SO PO  A LOB
------------------------------------------------------
YOUNG cf.................  3  0  1  2   0  0  1  0   2
HAYMORE lf...............  4  0  2  1   0  1  3  0   0
 DABBS ph/rf.............  0  0  0  0   1  0  0  0   0
MADER ss.................  4  2  1  1   1  0  1  5   0
SALAS dh/p...............  4  2  1  3   0  1  0  0   3
MURRAY rf/lf.............  5  1  4  0   0  0  0  0   0
STOVALL 1b...............  5  0  3  2   0  1 14  0   0
RUSSELL 3b...............  4  0  1  1   0  1  0  1   3
SPITALERI c..............  3  2  2  0   0  1  8  1   1
BARBA 2b.................  3  3  2  0   0  0  0  4   0
EDDY p...................  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  1   0
 GAARDER p...............  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0   0
Totals................... 35 10 17 10   2  5 27 12   9
Score by Innings                    R  H  E
-------------------------------------------
BYU................. 000 102 050 -  8  9  1
New Mexico.......... 001 122 04X - 10 17  2
-------------------------------------------
E - TAYLOR; RUSSELL(1); BARBA(10). DP - BYU 2. LOB - BYU 10; New Mexico 9.
2B - ITRI; CLOWARD; HAYMORE(3); STOVALL(6). 3B - YOUNG(6). HR - TAYLOR(7);
SALAS(4). HBP - KNELL; CLOWARD; SALAS; SPITALERI. SH - YOUNG 2(4); BARBA(3).
SF - ITRI; RUSSELL(2). SB - TAYLOR; BILLS; MADER(8). CS - MURRAY(2).
BYU                    IP  H  R ER BB SO AB BF
-----------------------------------------------
SU'A, Justin........  4.1 11  4  4  0  3 20 23
STAMBAUGH,J.D.......  1.2  4  2  2  0  1  8  8
BURGER, Bryce.......  1.0  1  2  1  0  1  4  5
BEUS, Lance.........  0.1  0  0  0  0  0  0  1
LEMON, Nick.........  0.0  0  2  0  2  0  0  3
PARSONS, Kalen......  0.2  1  0  0  0  0  3  3
New Mexico             IP  H  R ER BB SO AB BF
-----------------------------------------------
EDDY................  7.1  6  5  4  3  5 29 33
GAARDER.............  0.0  0  2  0  1  0  0  2
SALAS...............  1.2  3  1  0  1  4  8 10
Win - SALAS (1-1).  Loss - LEMON (1-2).  Save - None.
WP - EDDY(3); GAARDER 2(4). HBP - by EDDY (KNELL); by GAARDER (CLOWARD); by
BURGER (SPITALERI); by LEMON (SALAS).
Umpires - HP: Ron McCall  1B: Dan Weikle  3B: Ted Bergquist
Start: 12:03 pm   Time: 3:12   Attendance: 728
Game notes:
ID-228603
GAARDER faced 2 batters in the 8th.
BURGER faced 2 batters in the 8th.
LEMON faced 3 batters in the 8th.
Game: Game three of three
 Play-by-Play
Score by Innings                    R  H  E
-------------------------------------------
BYU................. 000 102 050 -  8  9  1
New Mexico.......... 001 122 04X - 10 17  2
-------------------------------------------
BYU starters: 22/cf CHAMBERS; 12/lf KNELL; 21/dh ITRI; 16/rf HIESTAND; 25/1b
   SAYLOR; 3/ss TAYLOR; 8/3b WIENS; 9/c CLOWARD; 5/2b VEST; 27/p SU'A;
New Mexico starters: 5/cf YOUNG; 14/lf HAYMORE; 4/ss MADER; 10/dh SALAS;
   17/rf MURRAY; 34/1b STOVALL; 3/3b RUSSELL; 9/c SPITALERI; 6/2b BARBA;
   20/p EDDY;
BYU - inning 1
   CHAMBERS flied out to lf. KNELL grounded out to ss. ITRI doubled down the
   lf line. HIESTAND grounded out to ss. 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
New Mexico - inning 1
   YOUNG popped up to p. HAYMORE doubled down the rf line. MADER flied out
   to cf. SALAS struck out swinging. 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
BYU - inning 2
   SAYLOR struck out swinging. TAYLOR singled to left field. WIENS struck
   out swinging. CLOWARD popped up to 1b. 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
New Mexico - inning 2
   MURRAY singled to left field. MURRAY out at second c to 2b, caught
   stealing. STOVALL struck out swinging. RUSSELL singled to center field.
   SPITALERI struck out swinging. 0 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
BYU - inning 3
   VEST lined out to lf. CHAMBERS walked. KNELL hit by pitch; CHAMBERS
   advanced to second. ITRI grounded out to 2b; KNELL advanced to second;
   CHAMBERS advanced to third. HIESTAND grounded out to 2b. 0 runs, 0 hits,
   0 errors, 2 LOB.
New Mexico - inning 3
   BARBA singled to left field. YOUNG grounded out to p, SAC, bunt; BARBA
   advanced to second. HAYMORE singled to center field, RBI; BARBA scored.
   MADER out on batter's interference. SALAS flied out to lf. 1 run, 2 hits,
   0 errors, 1 LOB.
BYU - inning 4
   SAYLOR grounded out to ss. TAYLOR singled to center field. TAYLOR stole
   second. WIENS struck out swinging. CLOWARD doubled down the rf line, RBI;
   TAYLOR scored. VEST grounded out to 3b. 1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
New Mexico - inning 4
   MURRAY singled to left field. STOVALL doubled down the lf line; MURRAY
   advanced to third. RUSSELL flied out to lf, SF, RBI; MURRAY scored.
   SPITALERI singled to second base. BARBA grounded out to 3b, SAC, bunt;
   SPITALERI advanced to second; STOVALL advanced to third. YOUNG flied out
   to lf. 1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB.
BYU - inning 5
   CHAMBERS struck out swinging. KNELL grounded out to ss. ITRI flied out to
   lf. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
New Mexico - inning 5
   HAYMORE grounded out to 2b. MADER singled to left field. MADER stole
   second. SALAS homered to left field, 2 RBI; MADER scored. MURRAY singled
   to left field. STAMBAUGH to p for SU'A. STOVALL singled through the right
   side; MURRAY advanced to second. RUSSELL hit into double play 3b to 1b to
   c; MURRAY out on the play. 2 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
BYU - inning 6
   HIESTAND grounded out to 2b. SAYLOR singled to left field. TAYLOR homered
   to left field, 2 RBI; SAYLOR scored. BILLS pinch hit for WIENS. BILLS
   walked. BILLS stole second. CLOWARD grounded out to ss. VEST popped up to
   ss. 2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
New Mexico - inning 6
   LUCAS to 3b for BILLS. SPITALERI singled to right field. BARBA singled,
   bunt; SPITALERI advanced to second. YOUNG tripled to center field, 2 RBI;
   BARBA scored; SPITALERI scored. HAYMORE struck out swinging. MADER lined
   out to ss. SALAS grounded out to ss. 2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
BYU - inning 7
   CHAMBERS grounded out to 2b. KNELL grounded out to p. ITRI grounded out
   to 1b unassisted. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
New Mexico - inning 7
   BURGER to p for STAMBAUGH. MURRAY singled to right field. STOVALL
   grounded into double play ss to 2b to 1b; MURRAY out on the play. RUSSELL
   struck out looking. 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
BYU - inning 8
   HIESTAND walked. SAYLOR struck out swinging. HIESTAND advanced to second
   on a wild pitch. TAYLOR reached on a throwing error by 3b, advanced to
   second; HIESTAND scored. GAARDER to p for EDDY. TAYLOR advanced to third
   on a wild pitch. LUCAS walked. LUCAS advanced to second on a wild pitch.
   CLOWARD hit by pitch. SALAS to p. /  for GAARDER. VEST walked, RBI;
   CLOWARD advanced to second; LUCAS advanced to third; TAYLOR scored,
   unearned. CHAMBERS singled to second base, advanced to second on a
   throwing error by 2b, RBI; VEST advanced to third; CLOWARD scored,
   unearned; LUCAS scored, unearned. KNELL reached on a fielder's choice.
   ITRI flied out to cf, SF, RBI; VEST scored, unearned. HIESTAND struck out
   swinging. 5 runs, 1 hit, 2 errors, 2 LOB.
New Mexico - inning 8
   LAW to 1b for HIESTAND. SAYLOR to rf. SPITALERI hit by pitch. BARBA
   reached on a fielder's choice; SPITALERI advanced to second on a throwing
   error by ss. BEUS to p for BURGER. YOUNG out at first 3b to 2b, SAC,
   bunt; BARBA advanced to second; SPITALERI advanced to third. DABBS pinch
   hit for HAYMORE. LEMON to p for BEUS. DABBS walked. MADER walked, RBI;
   DABBS advanced to second; BARBA advanced to third; SPITALERI scored,
   unearned. SALAS hit by pitch, RBI; MADER advanced to second; DABBS
   advanced to third; BARBA scored. PARSONS to p for LEMON. MURRAY reached
   on a fielder's choice; SALAS advanced to second; MADER advanced to third;
   DABBS out at home ss to c. STOVALL singled to center field, 2 RBI; MURRAY
   advanced to third; SALAS scored, unearned; MADER scored, unearned.
   RUSSELL grounded out to 2b. 4 runs, 1 hit, 1 error, 2 LOB.
BYU - inning 9
   DABBS to rf. MURRAY to lf. SAYLOR struck out looking. TAYLOR struck out
   swinging, out at first c to 1b. LUCAS singled through the left side.
   CLOWARD singled to left field; LUCAS advanced to second. VEST struck out
   swinging. 0 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB.

After playing a game's worth of extra innings last week, BYU's baseball team continues its road travels with a three-game series at New Mexico.

The Cougars, 13-19 overall and 3-3 in the Mountain West Conference, start the series on Thursday at 6 p.m., against New Mexico, who began the week with a 6-16-1 overall mark and also 3-3 in the league. With both teams tied for third place, the series is pivotal.

"We need to maintain our momentum going into New Mexico and keep our ground with UNLV coming up next week," said BYU Coach Vance Law. "Last week was important for us to get back on track and win close ball games. We learned a lot about ourselves against Utah."

BYU won a 17-inning marathon against Utah in a rain-delayed contest, the longest in school and conference history. That win was preserved by "the catch," made by a diving Ben Saylor in right field with two-out and the bases loaded.

The Cougars followed that victory with another one-run defeat of Utah in 10 innings to complete a three-game sweep. Utah's lone league victory came in its second game at New Mexico.

New Mexico, who hosted rival New Mexico State on Tuesday, won its middle game against second-place San Diego State last week in Albuquerque.

Lefty Patrick Wells (4-2, 4.76) follows up on his complete-game victory last week by starting the series Thursday at Isotopes Park. Friday's BYU starter at 6 p.m., is Paul Jacinto (0-6, 6.32), who last won a year ago in Albuquerque against the Lobos. Sophomore Justin Su`a (2-1, 4.41) will pitch the noon game on Saturday.

All of the games will be broadcast live locally over KOVO Radio (960 AM). All of the games will be available on the Internet through livestats and live audio via links on www.byucougars.com.www.byucougars.com.

The Cougars do not play a home game again until April 15 versus SDSU.