ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The University of New Mexico baseball team (37-21) moved within one win of a Mountain West Conference Championship and automatic NCAA Regional bid Friday, defeating the Air Force Falcons (30-26), 6-4.
“We are going to have to play really, really well to finish this off,” said head coach Ray Birmingham. “We are down to one starter and we’ve lost our record-setting closer. It’s all there, it all can happen. The great thing is, they are competing. They are scratching and clawing, and that’s what Lobo baseball is.”
Tyler Stevens (8-4) kept up the solid pitching for the Lobos with a victory. The All-MW First Teamer threw seven innings and held the Falcons to one earned run and seven hits. He struck out six batters over the course of the night. Freshman Christian Tripp picked up his fourth save of the season with two shutout innings of work. Over the eighth and ninth, he held the Falcons to one walk without a hit.
Two catchers led the way offensively in freshman Andrew Pratt, playing behind the dish, and All-MW First Teamer Chris DeVito at DH. They each logged two hits, two RBI and two runs scored, each with a home run as well.
Entering the game fresh off a win over the top-seed Fresno State, Air Force came out swinging. The Falcons took the lead with three runs in the first inning and another run in the second, all coming with two outs on the board. The Lobos had just one hit over that span but picked up the pace in the third.
Austin Bell led off the bottom of the third with a full count walk. Two freshmen would score on the next at bat, when Pratt mashed a home run over left field on his first pitch. The third homer of his career cut the Air Force lead in half.
The game would be tied at four after another pair of runs in the fourth. Player of the Year Carl Stajduhar led off with a double down the left field line. DeVito followed the other way, with a RBI double down the right field line. Jack Zoellner batted DeVito over to third base, and Andre Vigil sent him home on a single to left field.
Meanwhile, Stevens hit a groove after the second inning. From the third frame through the seventh, The Falcons were held to two hits and a walk. In the bottom of the sixth, DeVito put the Lobos ahead on a leadoff solo shot over right field. The Lobos tacked on another run in the seventh after Pratt and Dalton Bowers led off with back-to-back singles. Pratt was batted over to third on a fielder’s choice and sent home on a Michael Eaton sacrifice fly.
Without a run in the eighth, the Lobos turned to Tripp to close the show. The leadoff batter for Air Force reached base on an error and advanced to second on a groundout, but was stranded after a swinging strikeout and a grounder to the shortstop.
Saturday’s action begins at 1 p.m. with an elimination game between Nevada and Air Force. The winner will play New Mexico at 5 p.m., or 50 minutes after the conclusion of the opening game. The Lobo game will broadcast live on ESPN Radio 101.7 The TEAM. Fans can get an all-day pass to both games Saturday for $15 at the gate or online.
NOTES: With his 24th appearance, Tripp tied the school record for appearances in a season by a freshman, held by teammate Schneider…Tripp, who finished conference play with a sub two ERA, has not allowed a run in the month of May…The Lobos reached base to lead off six of eight innings Friday…The Falcons were held to a .167 average with runners on…Birmingham has now won 18 of his 30 MW Championship games, good for a .600 career winning percentage.
Lobos Continue to Roll With Win Over Air Force
