ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The University of New Mexico baseball team (33-18, 18-7 MW) held onto the lead in the Mountain West Conference with a series-opening win Friday over the Nevada Wolf Pack (27-21, 16-9 MW), 5-4.
Jack Zoellner paced the Lobos on the night, finishing 3-for-4 with two crucial RBI to start the game. He had a two-out single in the seventh that kept a rally alive and set up the game-winning RBI. Jared Holley went 2-for-3 with a game-high three runs, while freshman catcher Andrew Pratt finished 2-for-4 with a RBI.
“Jack Zoellner did a great job,” said head coach Ray Birmingham. “He’s back to being a contact hitter. His at bat won the game (in the seventh). It should have been the game-winning at bat but the shortstop made a heck of a play. Jack’s been incredible, he was the difference in the ball game. “
Freshman Christian Tripp (2-1) recorded his second career win in relief. Starting pitcher Colton Thomson battled illness but powered through to give the Lobos six solid innings. Tripp entered in the seventh with the game tied and held the Wolf Pack to just one hit in 2.1 innings. Alex Estrella closed the game to record his sixth save.
The Lobos took the lead in the first inning of a back-and-forth game. Holley earned his record-39th hit by pitch in his first at bat before Carl Stajduhar drew a 4-pitch walk. With two outs on the board, Zoellner smacked a double to left field to drive in both runners.
The lead lasted until the third inning, when Nevada plated two runners to tie the game. The Lobos were able to hold two other runners on base to prevent falling behind. In the fourth inning, Andre Vigil retook the lead after hitting a two-out single. Pratt drove him home on a double to left centerfield.
In the fifth, Nevada tied it again in rare fashion. Two singles and a walk loaded the bases with no outs. Miles Mastrobuoni grounded over to second base, starting a 4632 triple play. However, a run crossed the plate on the play that put the score at 3-3. In the bottom side, the Lobos scored another go-ahead run, starting with an infield single from Holley. With two outs on the board, Stajduhar ripped a double down the left field line for a RBI.
Like clockwork, a single run in the sixth on a pair of doubles tied the game for Nevada. The final go-ahead run for the Lobos came in the seventh inning. The bases were loaded with two outs on a rally started by a bunt single from Holley. Stajduhar was hit by a pitch and Zoellner loaded them on an infield single, which was just stopped before slipping through to the outfield to draw in a run. In his second plate appearance of the night, outfielder Reece Weber took a ball on the wrist to drive in the team’s final run.
After a scoreless eighth, the Lobos kept the Wolf Pack from scoring the tying run in the ninth. However, Nevada reached base on a leadoff single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. Estrella was stellar in the closer role, earning a strikeout before battling through a 10 pitch at bat to end the game on a foul out to Zoellner at first base.
The Lobos and Wolf Pack continue the series Saturday at 6 p.m. at Santa Ana Star Field. The game will broadcast live on ESPN Radio 101.7 The TEAM.
NOTES: Holley was plunked for the 39th time in his career, giving him sole possession of the career record for hit by pitches…The triple play turned by the Lobos in the fifthinning was the first for the program since March 29, 2013 against San Diego State…Estrella becomes the ninth Lobo ever to earn six saves in a season…The Lobos were a hard third out Friday, batting an even .500 with two outs on the board…The Lobos entered the season trailing Nevada in the all-time series, but now lead 14-13.
Lobos Take Friday Night Battle over Nevada, 5-4
