LAS VEGAS, Nev. – The University of New Mexico baseball team (32-18, 17-7 MW) dropped its final game of the weekend against the UNLV Rebels (20-27, 10-14 MW) Sunday, falling 10-4.
“UNLV is hot and we are a road weary team that needs to get home (Lobos are ending their longest road trip of the season),” said head coach Ray Birmingham. “We will regroup.”
Luis Gonzalez was the leader on offense, finishing 3-for-5 with two runs and a RBI. The Lobos had five freshmen on the field Sunday, headlined by another big day from Jared Mang, who went 2-for-4 with two RBI.
The Lobos attacked early and grabbed the first lead after two innings. The Lobos earned leadoff hits in the first three innings, and took advantage of it in the second. Jack Zoellner pelted a leadoff double to left center and reached third base on a passed ball. Freshman Jared Mang grounded out to second base, but grabbed his first RBI of the day on the play to make it a 1-0 ball game.
The leadoff hit in the third would also become advantageous. Luis Gonzalez led off the side with a double to left field. He reached third base on the following at bat on a perfect bunt single from Jared Holley. After two pop ups, Zoellner loaded the bases on a base on balls. Mang slapped a single to third base, allowing Gonzalez to score and securing his seventh RBI of the week. The bases were left loaded, but the Lobos were able to give Harrington an early 2-0 lead.
The Rebels swung back in the bottom of the third, leading off with a triple and bringing in a run on a sacrifice fly. However, Harrington stayed composed and stranded a runner in scoring position for the third straight inning. The Rebels would eventually break through, securing three runs in a fourth inning rally that gave the home team a 4-2 lead.
The game went away from New Mexico in the bottom of the fourth, when the Rebels rallied for three runs, followed by a four-run fifth frame. Chris DeVito blasted a home run over the right centerfield fence in the fifth, but the Lobos entered the sixth inning trailing, 8-3.
UNLV posted its final two runs in the seventh inning, establishing a seven-run advantage. The Lobos continued to fight until the end, and scored their final run in the ninth inning. Gonzalez earned his third leadoff hit, but this time sent the ball out of the yard for a solo shot. However, the Rebels drew three straight outs to end the game.
After their longest road slate of the season, the Lobos will return home to face Nevada in a three-game series, beginning Friday at 6 p.m. The game will broadcast live on ESPN Radio 101.7 The TEAM.
NOTES: Despite the loss, the Lobos will enter next weekend in first place in the Mountain West Conference…The Lobos batted .556 when leading off…The Lobos and Rebels finish the season series tied at 3-3.
Lobos Downed Against UNLV
