SURPRISE, Ariz.— Behind a dominant performance from sophomore pitcher Gabriel Hughes and a last-gasp rally, Gonzaga baseball slipped by New Mexico 4-3 in Surprise Stadium on Friday evening in their first game of 2021.
 
Down 3-2 in the ninth after a solo home run from the Lobos' Kyle Castillo, the Zags (1-0, 0-0) needed an answer. Twice for GU before the final frame, innings ended with tie-breaking runners on base — but the runs finally came when they needed it most. 
 
The Zags only got four hits off of Lobos pitchers, but benefited from five walks, including Lund, who got into position off of a walk in his only at-bat of the game, and third baseman Brett Harris, who was hit by a pitch to tie the game at 3-all. Harris scored a run and finished 1-for-3 with two RBIs.
 
With the bases loaded, grad transfer first baseman Andrew Orzel's RBI double sent Stephen Lund home to break the tie and end the game simultaneously. 
 
"First off, it's just great to be back out competing on the diamond," said Head Coach Mark Machtolf. "Proud of our guys' resiliency tonight. Hughes gave us a very quality start and some big at bats late to dig out a comeback win."
 
Hughes gave up 2 hits in the first inning, including a fielder's choice run by the Lobos' Mack Chambers. An RBI from Harris in the next frame got Ernie Yake home to tie it up at 1-1.