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New Mexico (23-16-1) vs. No. 6 Texas Tech (33-10)
Tuesday, April 25 • 6:30 p.m. (MT)
TBD vs. TBD
Wednesday, April 26 • 1 p.m. (MT)
TBD vs. TBD
Santa Ana Star Field – Albuquerque, N.M.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The University of New Mexico baseball team has a chance to avenge a pair of losses to Texas Tech earlier this season when the Lobos host the sixth-ranked Red Raiders 6:30 p.m. Tuesday and 1 p.m. Wednesday at Santa Ana Star Field.
For Tuesday’s game, tickets are available for only $2!
The Lobos have dropped a pair of games in Lubbock this season to Texas Tech, falling to the Red Raiders 7-2 on Feb. 28 and 12-4 on April 11. In the latest game, the Lobos held a 4-3 lead heading into the bottom of the fourth before Texas Tech scored a run in the fourth to tie it, three runs in the fifth to take the lead, two more in the sixth and three more in the eighth to come away with the eight-run victory. This will be the teams’ first matchup in Albuquerque this season, where the Lobos hold a winning record over the Red Raiders at 25-22-1 (UNM is 20-49 outside of Albuquerque against Texas Tech). This includes splitting a doubleheader last season in the Duke City with the Lobos taking game two 6-5 in 11 innings on a Dalton Bowers RBI double to score Andre Vigil.
The Red Raiders are coming off dropping two of three at home to Big 12 foe Oklahoma State, including losing the finale 3-1 in extra innings. Earlier in the week, Texas Tech defeated New Mexico State 6-4, the third time the Red Raiders have beaten the Aggies this season. Much like UNM has a key series coming up this weekend at San Diego State, the Red Raiders have a key series upcoming against Big 12 leader TCU starting Friday.
LAST TIME OUT FOR UNM … The Lobos are coming off their fourth Mountain West series sweep of the season after taking all three games from UNLV this past weekend at Santa Ana Star Field.
In Friday’s series opener, UNM got a strong start from Tyler Stevens, a four-hit game from Jared Mang, three-hit games from Luis Gonzalez and Beau Capanna and a home run from Carl Stajduhar to pull away for a 13-4 victory.
Stevens went seven innings and gave up three runs (two earned) on 10 hits with five strikeouts and a walk to pick up his sixth win of the season.
The Lobos trailed 2-1 before a three-run third inning gave UNM the lead for good as they pulled away for the nine-run victory.
On Saturday, the Lobos got a three-run homer from Jack Zoellner in the first inning and a three-run homer from Mang in the second inning to help push UNM to a 13-4 victory.
Zoellner had a big day at the plate, going 3-for-5 with a home run, two doubles and five RBI. Johnathon Tripp picked up the win, going seven innings and giving up four runs on eight hits with three strikeouts and one walk.
Sunday’s finale was a bit tighter as UNLV held a 9-7 advantage heading to the bottom of the sixth before a two-out, three-run homer by Stajduhar (his third consecutive game with a home run and fourth in five games) gave the Lobos the lead for good on their way to an 11-9 victory – led by Mang’s 5-for-5 performance.
James Harrington got the win in relief, giving up two runs (one earned) on three hits with one strikeout and two walks. Christian Tripp picked up his fifth save of the season, going one inning and giving up one hit with two strikeouts and one walk.
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.
SCOUTING TEXAS TECH … The Red Raiders have been strong in all three facets of the game this season as they rank in the top 35 in the nation in batting average (.300, 32nd), team ERA (3.45, 32nd) and fielding percentage (.981, 10th).
Texas Tech has six players hitting above .300 on the season, led by Grant Little (.339). Hunter Hargrove is hitting .329 with four homers, 40 RBI, 37 runs and 18 doubles while Orlando Garcia is batting .305 with 10 home runs, eight doubles, three triples, 45 RBI and 27 runs.
While the Lobos likely won’t face any of Texas Tech’s weekend starters in Steven Gingery (8-0, 1.49), Ryan Shetter (2-0, 3.45) or Martin Davis (4-1, 2.57) – UNM will likely see John Henry Gonzalez (2-2, 4.33) for a third time while the other starter will be getting a first start against the Lobos.
UNM BASEBALL NOTES
- STAJDUHAR YARD WORK – INCREASED PRODUCTION … Carl Stajduhar would be the first to admit he’d hit a minor slump for a bit – but he’s busted out of it in a big way. The Lobo third baseman has smacked four home runs in the last five games – including one in each of the last three games to give him 10 on the season. It also gives the junior 37 in his career, good for seventh on the UNM all-time list.
Stajduhar is also just an RBI shy of reaching the UNM all-time top 10.
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
37 Carl Stajduhar, 2015-present
36 Chris Carlson, 2005-06
34 Jeff Grady, 2002-05
29 Mark Gulseth, 1992-93RBI (Career)
226 Daniel Stovall, 2004-07
225 Chris Alexander, 2000-03
203 Lon Yamaguchi, 1996-99
198 DJ Peterson, 2011-13
198 Aaron Sisk, 1998-00
188 Joe Salas, 2001-04
181 Antonio Fernandez, 1992-94
167 Mitch Garver, 2010-13
166 Scott Candelaria, 1998-2000
163 Mark Wulfert, 1992-95
162 Carl Stajduhar, 2015-present
- 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 sixth with 8.5 per game. UNM is also in the top 20 in the nation in average (.312 – 17th), on-base percentage (.415 – 8th) and slugging percentage (.485 – 15th) while the Lobos are fifth in the country in doubles (100) and third in doubles per game (2.50).
- 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 17th in the nation in doubles plays turned (40) and 25th in the country in double plays per game (1.00).
- 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 fifth in the country in walks drawn with 222. Leading the way in walks drawn for UNM is Luis Gonzalez (38, sixth in the NCAA) and Jack Zoellner (31, 31st).
- 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 160 of the Lobos’ 161 games during his career, including the last 148 – 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
148 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 fourth place 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
111 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 73 games for the cherry and silver, the third most appearances in Lobo history. He’s five appearances away from setting a new Lobo record.
APPEARANCES (Career)
77 Taylor Duree, 2013-16
75 Joe Coleman, 1985-88
73 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 188 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
188 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 19-11 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
19 Tyler Stevens, 2015-present
(18 Carson Schneider, 2014-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, 2004-06
- JACK 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.
- 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 146 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 22-0-1