Feb. 14, 2001

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - The New Mexico Lobos rallied from an 11-7 deficit to defeat Texas Tech 12-11 on Tuesday at the Albuquerque Sports Stadium in Albuquerque, N.M.

With the loss, Tech drops to 6-4 on the season while New Mexico won their third straight contest to improve to 3-6.

Texas Tech stormed out to an 8-2 lead in the top of the fourth inning before the Lobos rallied in their half of the fourth scoring four runs to pull within two. Tech padded its lead in the top of the eighth by scoring three runs to take an 11-7 lead.

New Mexico took advantage of a key Tech defensive misplay in the bottom of the ninth and put two runners in scoring position. With two outs remaining in the game, catcher Anthony Arnerich mishandled a pitch by Steve Rowe that brought in Mark Okano for the winning run.

Texas Tech was led by Jason Rainey and Kerry Hodges who went a combined 6 of 10 at the plate. Both Hodges and Nick Blankenship extended season hitting streaks at 10 and nine respectively. The loss to UNM snapped a six-game winning streak over the Lobos dating back to the 1998 season.

Texas Tech heads to San Diego, Calif. on Wednesday for a weekend tournament at San Diego State University.