April 27, 2007
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The Lobos scored runs in every inning but the fifth, cruising to a 12-3 win over Hawai’i-Hilo in their first game at Isotopes Park in over three weeks. New Mexico, now 19-23 overall, recorded 16 hits while allowing 10 to the Vulcans.
Senior first baseman Daniel Stovall had a solid night at the plate, going 3-for-5 with a walk, two RBI and four runs scored. Stovall, who tripled off the right field wall, was just a double shy of hitting for the cycle.
The Lobos produced two hits in the first and one in both the second and third, leading to a run in each inning. They doubled their runs in the third, plating three on a home run to left by junior designated hitter Matt Hibbitts for a 6-0 lead.
New Mexico kept scoring, putting two runs on the board in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings. Stovall led off the sixth inning with a homer and tripled in the seventh, driving in a run.
Junior Stephen Smith improved to 5-6 overall with the win. Smith went 7 innings for two runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out four. Freshman Jarrad Watkins finished the game, allowing a run on two hits with three strikeouts in 2 innings.
Hawai’i-Hilo’s Joe Davis took the loss, allowing six runs (five earned) on eight hits and six walks. Davis did strike out five.
Other notable performaces are senior center fielder Matt Foote’s 4-for-5 night with two runs scored, Hibbitt’s team-high four RBI, junior second baseman Jordan Pacheco’s two hits and two RBI and senior Jay Russell’s team-high three walks, finishing 1-for-2 with a RBI and a run scored.
Shining for the Vulcans were Robby Mowers, Ryan Taiariol and Michael Higa. Mowers was 3-for-4 with a run scored, Taiariol was 2-for-4 with a RBI and Higa was 2-for-4.
The series continues tomorrow night at 6 p.m. It is “Pack the Park” night with tickets just $2.