ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – University of New Mexico freshman right-handed pitcher Tyler Stevens was named the Mountain West Pitcher of the Week following his one-hit shutout of Air Force on Sunday the Conference office announced Monday. It was UNM’s first one-hitter in over 39 years.
Stevens, making just his sixth career start, faced just one batter over the minimum in his 98-pitch masterpiece. He threw 67 of those pitches for strikes, recorded 12 groundball outs, and let just one batter reach second base, which was in the first inning. He retired the final 16 batters he faced and did not walk a batter. In fact, he reached only three three-ball counts all afternoon and just six two-ball counts. The only hit allowed was a one-out single in the third, but the batter was thrown out at second trying to stretch it into a double.
It was UNM’s first one-hitter of any kind since March 6, 1976, it was the first solo one-hitter March 25, 1973, and it was the first nine-inning one-hitter since April 15, 1965 — nearly 50 years ago to the day. Six former Lobo pitchers have gone on to pitch in the Major Leagues, but not a single one of them managed to do with Stevens did.
“Outstanding,” UNM head coach Ray Birmingham said of Stevens’ performance. “That was fun to watch. It’s fun to watch a freshman throw a (complete game). … It was an unbelievable performance by a guy we needed to do it.”
Stevens lowered his season ERA to 2.67 and is allowing less than one baserunner per inning with a 0.95 WHIP.
He is the second Lobo to be named MW Pitcher of the Week this season, joining senior Jake Cole, who earned the honor on March 30, the same day that freshman Cory Voss was named Mountain West Player of the Week.
2015 Mountain West Baseball Players of the Week
Feb. 16 – Brody Russell, Jr., OF, Fresno State
Feb. 23 – Austin Byler, Sr., 1B, Nevada
March 2 – Steven Pallares, Sr., OF, San Diego State
March 9 – Ryan Howell, Jr., 2B, Nevada
March 16 – Bradley Haslam, So., DH, Air Force
March 23 – Kevin Viers, Jr., 1B, Fresno State
March 30 – Cory Voss, Fr., C, New Mexico
April 6 – Tyler Jones, So., OF, Air Force
April 13 – Joey Armstrong, Jr., OF, UNLV
2015 Mountain West Baseball Pitchers of the Week
Feb. 16 – Jake Shull, Jr. RHP, Fresno State
Feb. 23 – C.J. Saylor, So., RHP, San Diego State
March 2 – Griffin Jax, So., RHP, Air Force
March 9 – Kenny Oakley, Jr., RHP, UNLV
March 16 – Bubba Derby, Jr., RHP, San Diego State
March 23 – Marcus Reyes, So., LHP, San Diego State
March 30 – Jake Cole, Sr., RHP, New Mexico
April 6 – Christian Stolo, Jr., LHP, Nevada
April 13 – Tyler Stevens, Fr., RHP, New Mexico