SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The University of New Mexico baseball team (17-8) finished its two-day series with the Sacramento State Hornets (14-10) with a 12-3 victory Tuesday.
The Lobos’ offensive outburst was led by Chris DeVito, who went 3-for-4 with four RBI. He also scored one run on his seventh home run of the season. Five Lobos had multiple hits Tuesday, while Jack Zoellner was perfect, going 4-for-4 with two runs and a RBI. Jared Holley went 3-for-5 with two runs and a RBI, while Luis Gonzales finished 2-for-4 with two runs, two walks, two stolen bases and a RBI Austin Bell also had a strong outing, going 2-for-3 with a walk, two runs and two RBI.
James Harrington (4-1) earned the victory on the mound in a midweek start. He pitched five innings and gave up seven hits and three earned runs. He struck out two batters and gave up just one extra base hit. The Lobos’ bullpen entered in the sixth inning and was nearly perfect. Five pitchers combined to throw the final four frames, shutting out and no-hitting the Hornets. Sacramento State reached base just three times, all on walks.
“James Harrington continues to improve,” stated head coach Ray Birmingham. “We need him to. Jack Zoellner, Jared Holley and Chris DeVito were on fire.”
DeVito’s home run came in the first inning, giving the Lobos a lead they would not give up. The two-run bomb was set up by Gonzalez, who earned a leadoff walk. Gonzalez worked his way to third base, but cruised home on DeVito’s home run down the right field line.
After a pair of scoreless frames, the Lobos had a strong side in the fourth, started again on a home run. Zoellner hit his fifth home run of the year on a solo shot to lead off the side. After one out was posted, the Lobos would earn doubles from Holley, Dalton Bowers and Gonzalez, while Bell drew a walk. The offensive display secured a trio of runs, putting the Lobos up 6-0.
After 13 straight innings without scoring against the Lobos, the Hornets put themselves on the board with two runs in the fifth inning. The Lobos answered by scoring a combined six runs over the sixth and seventh frames. In the sixth, Gonzalez started another rally with a two-out walk. After stealing second, Jared Mang sent him home on a single through the left side. Mang advanced on the throw to the plate, putting him in scoring position for DeVito’s RBI single through the right side.
The Lobos started the seventh inning with four straight hits, beginning with a double from Zoellner. After Scottie Graham reached on a single to left, Holley plated Zoellner on a RBI double down the left field line. With two runners in scoring position, Bell smacked a single up the middle to bring both home. Bell eventually reached third base, setting up DeVito’s fourth RBI on a sacrifice fly. The Lobos carried their nine-run lead into the final two frames, easing to victory.
The Lobos will return to Mountain West Conference play on Friday against UNLV at 6 p.m. at the Santa Ana Star Center Field.
NOTES: The Lobos’ 12 runs marks their third highest run production this season, and most since Feb. 26…The Lobos entered the day ranked 23rd in the nation in team batting average, and improved that average from .311 to .316. That would move them up to 16th as of this morning…The Lobos were 9-for-17 (.529) with runners in scoring position…The Lobos’ leadoff hitters reached base in seven of nine innings…The Lobos will return home as winners of nine of their last 11 games…Taylor Duree is now three appearances away from matching the all-time career record for appearances at New Mexico.
Lobos Post 12 Runs in Win at Sacramento State
