Feb. 19, 2007
THE GAME: The Lobos (3-6) head back to New Mexico State for their second consecutive Tuesday afternoon matchup. Last week the Lobos used the Aggies to end a three-game losing streak. With a two-game losing streak in tact, they hope the Aggies will help them get back on the winning track. Right-handed freshman Shane Dyer is slated to start for the Lobos against an unknown NMSU opponent. First pitch is slated for 1:05 p.m. with live audio available at www.NMStateSports.com for a fee.
REVIEWING THE AGGIES: New Mexico State is 4-6 overall after taking two of three at the University of New Orleans. The Aggies are 2-5 at home, losing their last home contest to the Lobos.
The Aggies, hitting .306, are led by hot-hitting Joseph Scaperotta. Scaperotta’s hitting .376 with a team-high 16 RBI, 11 runs scored and five doubles. Leo Aguirre is hitting .444 with 10 RBI and Tyler Hardt, hitting .371, is the only Aggie to start all 10 games.
On the mound, the NMSU pitching staff posts a 6.27 ERA. Reliever Anthony Arrieta holds a team-best 2.53 ERA, going 1-0 with five strikeouts in 10.2 innings. Starter Brian Gausman is 2-0 with a 2.65 ERA, striking out 19 in 17.0 innings to lead the Aggies.
HISTORY LESSON: The Lobos hold a comfy 143-72 series advantage over New Mexico State, including a 68-24 mark in Albuquerque and 55-42 record in Las Cruces. They won the last meeting a week ago, 11-7. Freshman Brian Hill earned the win, striking out two in 1.2 hitless innings of relief. Freshman starter Shane Dyer went 4.1 innings for seven hits, two runs (one earned), four walks and four strikeouts. Junior DH Matt Hibbitts hit a team-high .750, going 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored. Three Lobos, freshman Scott Gracey, senior Daniel Stovall and junior Jordan Pacheco, were all 2-for-4. Gracey recorded a team-high four RBI.
LAFROMBOISE NAMED MWC PITCHER OF THE WEEK: Junior left hander Bobby LaFromboise was named Mountain West Conference Pitcher of the Week, respectively. LaFromboise, a Downey, Calif., native, led New Mexico to an upset victory over No. 7 Nebraska last week, tallying his first win of the season in the process. In 8.0 innings of work, he gave up just three hits, three walks and one earned run, while striking out nine. After the Cornhuskers scored a run in the first innings, LaFromboise settled in and allowed just two hits over the next five innings. He fanned two batters in the first, third and fourth innings en route to his nine strikeouts.
NEARING THE MILESTONES: Head coach Rich Alday is nearing two major coaching milestones. With a 490-489-3 record at New Mexico, he needs just 10 wins for 500. As a collegiate head coach, he is 986-709-3, leaving him just 14 victories shy of 1,000.