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New Mexico (20-16-1, 11-2-1) vs. UNLV (14-25, 7-11)
Friday, April 21 • 6:30 p.m. (MT)
RHP Tyler Stevens (5-3, 3.70) vs. RHP Alan Strong (4-3, 6.10)
Saturday, April 22 • 2 p.m. (MT)
RHP Johnathon Tripp (2-1, 4.67) vs. LHP Tevita Gerber (3-5, 7.88)
Sunday, April 23 • 12 p.m. (MT)
TBD vs. LHP Garrett Poole (2-4, 6.14)
Santa Ana Star Field – Albuquerque, N.M.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The first-place University of New Mexico baseball team returns home and to Mountain West play when the Lobos host UNLV starting 6:30 p.m. Friday at Santa Ana Star Field.
The Lobos swept UNLV in Las Vegas March 24-26, scoring a season-high 29 runs in a 21-run victory in game one, winning game two 4-2 and taking the series finale 7-3. The Lobos hit .328 as a team during the series and five different players homered. It was UNM’s first sweep of UNLV in Las Vegas since 2008. Since 2015, the Lobos are 8-4 against the Rebels. In the last 15 games played in Albuquerque against UNLV, the Lobos are 12-3.
The Rebels are coming off a midweek, come-from-behind 13-12 victory over Arizona State on Tuesday night at home. UNLV scored four runs in the bottom of the ninth inning for the victory. Since starting conference play 4-2, UNLV has dropped nine of their last 12 Mountain West contests – including losing two of three last weekend at home to San Diego State and losing two of three at Air Force the weekend before.
LAST TIME OUT FOR UNM … The Lobos could’ve easily left Manhattan with a pair of wins Tuesday, but couldn’t hold onto a lead in game one or find a timely hit in game two as the Lobos were swept by Kansas State 12-10 and 3-2 at Toiton Family Stadium.
UNM used an eight-run second inning in game one to take an early 8-1 advantage and held a 9-4 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh before the Wildcats scored four runs in both the seventh and eighth innings to take a 12-9 lead and held on for the 12-10 victory.
Justin Slaten picked up the loss in relief in game one, going 1.1 innings and giving up five runs on two hits with three strikeouts and three walks.
Jared Mang paced UNM at the plate, going 3-for-5 with an RBI and two runs while Carl Stajduhar blasted a three-run homer to cap the eight-run second inning, Luis Gonzalez hit a solo home run late in the game to make it 9-4 and Justin Watari hit a go-ahead two-run double in the third inning to make it 3-1.
In the second game, the Lobos trailed for much of the contest after Kansas State scored a run in the second on four consecutive walks by UNM pitching. The Lobos briefly tied it in the top of the fourth when Hayden Schilling hit his second home run of the season – a line drive over the right field wall – but Kansas State scored two more in the bottom of the fourth and made it hold up to come away with the victory.
UNM got within one in the seventh inning with an RBI single from Mang and had runners on second and third with two outs in the eighth inning – but pinch-hitter Austin Bell was unlucky as he laced a ball right at the KSU second baseman to end the threat for the Lobos.
Brandon Langan picked up the loss in relief, going 2.1 innings and giving up two runs on five hits with no strikeouts and one walk. Drew Gillespie was solid in relief for UNM, going 3.1 hitless innings with three strikeouts and three walks.
The Lobos took on Missouri State in a top-40 RPI matchup at Santa Ana Star Field prior to its doubleheader Tuesday at Kansas State and UNM (39th RPI) took two of three from the Bears (24th RPI).
UNM took the first game of the series 17-8 on Thursday – scoring 11 unanswered runs against MSU after falling behind 7-5 heading into the bottom of the fifth. The Lobos scored three in the fifth, six in the sixth, and two in the seventh to take a 16-7 lead before cruising to the win.
Jared Mang paced UNM with a career-best five hits (5-for-6), a home run, double, four RBI and three runs. Hayden Schilling went 3-for-4 with three RBI and two runs and Beau Capanna went 3-for-4 with a triple, double, four RBI and two runs.
Brandon Langan got the win in relief after throwing 0.1 innings of scoreless relief right before UNM took the lead. The Lobo bullpen gave up just one run over the final four innings of play.
Again the Lobos fell behind Friday – this time 4-0 – before scoring nine unanswered runs to cruise to a 9-5 victory. Mang once again homered while going 2-for-5 with two RBI and two runs, Danny Collier went 2-for-5 with a run and RBI while Schilling was 2-for-3 with an RBI and two runs.
Tyler Stevens picked up the win, going 5.1 innings and giving up four runs on seven hits with six strikeouts and four walks. Again the UNM bullpen was solid, giving up a lone run in the ninth inning in 3.2 innings of work.
The Lobos couldn’t complete the sweep, however, as UNM was blanked at home for the first time since 2011 (a stretch of 164 game) during an 8-0 loss Saturday. Luis Gonzalez and Collier had two hits apiece for UNM to combine for four of the team’s five hits. Johnathon Tripp got the loss, going six innings and giving up five runs on six hits with two strikeouts and five walks.
SCOUTING UNLV … The Rebels enter this weekend’s series ranked 26th in that nation in hitting at .303, but they have seen their struggles on the mound as UNLV owns a team ERA of 6.65 – ranked 267th out of 295 Division I NCAA baseball teams in the nation.
Offensively the Rebels have six players with 140 or more at-bats this season sporting an average better than .310 – led by De La Trinidad’s .369 average (which goes along with four homers, six doubles, three triples, 22 RBI and 22 runs). UNLV’s top two run producers this season have been Nick Ames (.324, 7 HR, 36 RBI) and Justin Jones (.331, 5 HR, 31 RBI).
On the mound is where UNLV has had its struggles as only one of pitcher with more than six starts features an ERA below 6.00 (Larry Quaney is 1-3 with a 5.40 ERA). Alan Strong is the team’s ace and is 4-3 with a 6.10 ERA while Garrett Poole is 2-4 with a 6.14 ERA. Bryan Melendez has been the Rebels’ top reliever as he’s 2-1 with three saves , a 3.27 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 22 innings of work.
UNM BASEBALL NOTES
- UNM RACKING UP THE RUNS … The Lobos continue to put up impressive numbers as UNM sits in the top 10 in the nation in runs per game at ninth with 8.1 per game. UNM is also in the top 25 in the nation in average (.305 – 23rd), on-base percentage (.408 – 13th) and slugging percentage (.474 – 20th) while the Lobos are third in the country in doubles (93) and third in doubles per game (2.51).
- GONZALEZ, GREGORY NAMED TO MIDSEASON WATCH LISTS FOR NATIONAL AWARDS … UNM’s Luis Gonzalez was named to the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year midseason watch list while Andre Gregory was selected to the Brooks Wallace Award midseason watch list (nation’s top shortstop). Both awards will be handed out at the conclusion of the season.
- PITCHER’S BEST FRIEND IS NO STRANGER TO THE LOBOS … UNM has shown the ability to end opponent rallies in a hurry this season as the Lobos are 12th in the nation in doubles plays turned (38) and 22nd in the country in double plays per game (1.03).
- PATIENCE, MY FRIENDS, PATIENCE … The Lobos have shown this season they are more than willing to let an opponent get itself in trouble as UNM is 10th in the country in walks drawn with 202. Leading the way in walks drawn for UNM is Luis Gonzalez (35, fifth in the NCAA) and Jack Zoellner (29, 29th).
- DEATH, TAXES & STAJ … To say Carl Stajduhar has been a staple in the Lobo lineup for his first two years in Albuquerque might be an understatement. The junior has started 157 of the Lobos’ 158 games during his career, including the last 145 – which is second on the Lobos’ all-time list. The lone game he didn’t start in his career? A March 8, 2015, game against San Diego State in Albuquerque – a contest he later entered as a pinch hitter.
CONSECUTIVE STARTS
181 Mitch Garver, 2010-13
145 Carl Stajduhar, 2015-present
144 Daniel Stovall, 2004-07
139 Antonio Fernandez, 1992-94
135 Aaron Sisk, 1998-2000
124 Larry Harrison, 1980-83
118 Sam Haggerty, 2013-15
117 Chase Harris, 2013-14
108 Matt Foote, 2004-07
101 Lon Yamaguchi, 1996-99
- THESE CLEATS ARE MADE FOR WALKIN’ … Jack Zoellner with his two walks Tuesday at Kansas State moved himself into a tie for fourth on UNM’s all-time walks list with 109. Here is the current all-time list.
WALKS (Career)
152 Lon Yamaguchi, 1996-99
133 Matt Young, 2002-04
126 Gerardo Yepiz, 1990-92
109 Jack Zoellner, 2014-present
109 Jim Fregosi, 1983-85
108 Ian Hollick, 2005-08
108 Jay Russell, 2004-07
108 Johnny Barros, 1990-93
106 Mike Foote, 1977-80
105 Mark Okano, 1998-2001
- NOT MANY HAVE BEEN ON THE MOUND AS A LOBO MORE GAMES THAN SCHNEIDER … Senior left-hander Carson Schneider has been a mainstay for the Lobo pitching staff during his four years to say the least. The Albuquerque native has appeared in 72 games for the cherry and silver, tied for the third most appearances in Lobo history with 2016 grads Alex Estrella and Victor Sanchez. He’s six appearances away from setting a new Lobo record.
APPEARANCES (Career)
77 Taylor Duree, 2013-16
75 Joe Coleman, 1985-88
72 Carson Schneider, 2014-present
72 Alex Estrella, 2012-13, ’15-16
72 Victor Sanchez, 2013-16
68 David Steinberg, 1979-82
66 Gabe Aguilar, 2009-10, ’12-13
66 Kevin Letz, 2002-05
66 Joe Salas, 2001-04
65 Rudy Jaramillo, 2009-12
- A MOUNTAIN WEST FIRST … With its win March 24, the Lobos became the first team in Mountain West history to start conference play 7-0 (the Lobos started conference play 10-0 before its first loss). The previous best start was 6-0 by UNLV in 2004. The best winning percentage in a season in Mountain West play is .870 (20-3)by TCU twice (2007 and 2011).
- TWO GAMES, 51 RUNS … The Lobos broke out of their slump in a big way Wednesday by beating Grand Canyon 22-3 and followed it up by racking up the third-most runs in Lobo history with a 29-8 win over UNLV on Friday. The two-game total of 51 runs is the second-most runs in back-to-back games in Lobo history. UNM scored 55 runs in a two-game span in 1999 (beat New Mexico State 28-18 on March 30 and Fresno State 27-26 on April 1).
- STEVENS REACHES TOP 10 IN Ks IN LOBO HISTORY … Tyler Stevens has been punching out opposing hitters left and right this season and his total of 183 in his career has him in the top-10 mark in Lobo history.
STRIKEOUTS (Career)
356 Jim Kremmel, 1968-71
334 Bob McAulay, 1966-68
299 Ralph, 1966-68
251 James Vermilyea, 2001-04
222 Danny Ray Herrera, 2004-06
214 Kurt Hildebrandt, 1991-93, ’95
202 Rob Hoover, 1976-79
196 Jim Kalk, 1964-66
188 Chris Cooper, 2000-01
183 Tyler Stevens, 2015-17
175 Rudy Jaramillo, 2009-12
- ROOF-BOUND BLAST FOR PRATT … Sophomore Andrew Pratt has displayed his raw power at the plate in the past, but did something few (if any) have ever done in game play at Santa Ana Star Field- particularly with no wind. In Tuesday night’s contest against Grand Canyon, Pratt crushed a ball for a home run that cleared the left-center field wall at the 413-foot sign, crossed the street behind the fence and landed on the Rudy Davalos Basketball Center roof – a building that is at least 30 feet tall.
- SCHNEIDER WINS! STEVENS WINS! A COMMON THEME … Senior left-hander Carson Schneider is moving up the all-time win ranks after going 9-4 last season, tied for the sixth-most wins in single-season Lobo history. The Albuquerque native and Sandia High School grad is now 18-6 in his career, which is a win short of reaching the all-time top 10. His .750 winning percentage is tied for second on the all-time Lobo list. Closing in quickly for the Lobos on the career wins list is Tyler Stevens as the junior is 18-11 in his career, also a win from the No. 10 spot.
WINS (Career)
27 Rob Hoover, 1976-79
26 Josh Walker, 2012-14
24 Bob McAulay, 1966-68
23 Dean Duane, 1982-85
22 Danny Ray Herrera, 2004-06
22 Jim Kremmel, 1968-71
21 Kurt Hildebrandt, 1991-93, ’95
20 Rod Adair, 1971-74
19 Dean Duane, 1982-85
19 Jim Sharpe, 1979-82
19 Ralph Sallee, 1966-68
(18 Carson Schneider, 2014-present)
(18 Tyler Stevens, 2015-present)WINNING PCT. (Career, Min. 15 Dec.)
.773 (17-5) Luis Gonzalez, 1995-96
.750 (12-4) Jim Coleman, 1991-94
.750 (18-6) Carson Schneider, 2014-present
.743 (26-9) Josh Walker, 2012-14
.727 (24-9) Bob McAulay, 1966-68
.722 (13-5) Don Miller, 1972-75
.708 (17-7) Chris Baum, 1992-95
.704 (19-8) Ralph Sallee, 1966-68
.688 (11-5) Gary Jacobs, 1969-70
.650 (13-7) Arnie Marzullo, 1972073
.647 (22-12) Danny Ray Herrera, 2004-06YARD WORK BY STAJDUHAR … Carl Stajduhar’s 2016 season saw him swat 18 home runs, which tied for seventh in single-season Lobo history. He also has 34 in his career, tied for ninth on the UNM all-time list.
HOME RUNS (Career)
53 Aaron Sisk, 1998-00
50 Chris Alexander, 2000-03
42 Daniel Stovall, 2004-07
41 DJ Peterson, 2011-13
38 Joe Salas, 2001-04
38 Lon Yamaguchi, 1996-99
36 Chris Carlson, 2005-06
34 Jeff Grady, 2002-05
34 Carl Stajduhar, 2015-present
29 Mark Gulseth, 1992-93JACK ATTACK – A HIT STREAK NOT SOON FORGOTTEN … UNM’s Jack Zoellner might have felt a little left out when he was sitting at 0-for-5 late in the game Saturday as the Lobos racked up 24 runs and 28 hits at Air Force. The senior hit a single in his second-to-last at-bat (he walked in his final plate appearance of the day) in that contest to keep from getting the collar – but little did anyone know it would start an impressive hit streak. Zoellner went 5-for-5 Sunday at Air Force and got a hit in his first three at-bats against New Mexico State on Tuesday for nine consecutive at-bats with a base hit before being retired in his final at-bat Tuesday night. Zoellner also walked three times during that span, meaning he reached base an eye-popping 12 straight plate appearances.
IT’S OVER AFTER EIGHT … The UNM bullpen has been outstanding at protecting leads during the last several seasons. If UNM is leading after eight innings? Forget it. The Lobos haven’t lost when leading after eight in 143 straight games, a streak that dates back to March 24, 2013.
Lobos when leading after 8 since 3/24/13
2013 25-0
2014 33-0
2015 29-0
2016 36-0
2017 19-0-1