Lobos Lose Series Finale to UNLV

LAS VEGAS, Nev.  – The University of New Mexico baseball team dropped its series finale at UNLV Sunday by a score of 14-2. The Rebels (28-15, 16-8) scored three unearned runs in the fifth to break open a close game, then used an eight-run sixth to put the Lobos away.

UNM’s (31-14-1, 14-7) first run came in the seventh when John Pustay led off with his second home run of the season. In the ninth, with two outs and Pustay on first, Jered Meek singled through the right side, sending Pustay to third. Pustay then scored his second run of the game on a wild pitch.

Jack Zoellner was the only Lobo to record multiple hits, going 2-for-3 on the day with a pair of singles, but several Lobos reached base multiple times: Sam Haggerty went 1-for-4 and was hit by a pitch, Aaron Siple went 0-for-2 with a pair of walks, while Chase Harris walked once and was also hit by a pitch.

Despite the rough weekend against the Rebels, UNM remains tied with UNLV for first in the Mountain West based on percentage points and is a game up in the loss column. UNM still has three games in hand and, with the Rebels playing non-conference, the Lobos can take sole possession of first place with a sweep of San Diego State this weekend at Lobo Field.

Notes: It was the first time UNM was swept in conference play since losing three straight vs. then-No. 7 TCU May 19-21, 2011, at Isotopes Park … immediately following that sweep the Lobos rebounded and won four straight to win the Mountain West Tournament.