ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Lightning might’ve delayed the start an hour, but the University of New Mexico baseball team didn’t miss a beat as the Lobos used a strong outing from Carson Schneider on the mound and a balanced effort at the plate to defeat sixth-ranked Texas Tech 16-5 on Tuesday night at Santa Ana Star Field.
It’s the largest margin of victory for the Lobos (24-16-1) over the Red Raiders (33-11) since defeating them 18-3 on Feb. 10, 1985, in Albuquerque. It was also the highest ranked opponent UNM has defeated since beating No. 4 TCU 3-2 on May 8, 2010, in Albuquerque.
While the offense put up its fourth consecutive 10-plus run output, it was the pitching of Schneider that highlighted the evening as the senior recorded a career-high seven strikeouts while going six innings and giving up four runs (three earned) on seven hits and no walks against a potent Texas Tech lineup.
“Carson was really good tonight,” UNM coach Ray Birmingham said. “He was controlling the strike zone and showed what he’s capable of. It was great to see.”
Schneider, who missed a month earlier this season due to injury, threw 64 of his 93 pitches for strikes, picked up his 19th career victory to move into a tie for 10th on the UNM all-time wins list and improved his career winning percentage to .760 (19-6), which is second in Lobo history.
The Lobos jumped on Texas Tech early as three runs in the first (highlighted by a Danny Collier two-run single), a two-run second (RBI double by Jack Zoellner, RBI single from Carl Stajduhar) and a three-run third (highlighted by a two-run double by Luis Gonzalez) built the Lobos a quick 8-1 lead.
UNM’s lead grew to 10-2 heading into the seventh before a three-run homer by Texas Tech cut the Lobo lead to five. But UNM put together a six-run eighth inning that was highlighted by a two-run triple by Andre Gregory to make the final score 16-5.
Six Lobos finished with multiple hits with Luis Gonzalez leading the way, going 3-for-5 with three RBI and two runs. Jared Mang finished 2-for-5 with two RBI and a run, Zoellner went 2-for-3 with two doubles, two RBI and two runs, Stajduhar went 2-for-4 with an RBI and three runs, Collier finished 2-for-3 with three RBI and a run and Andre Gregory went 2-for-5 with two RBI and two runs.
Along with Schneider on the mound for UNM, the Lobos got a hitless and scoreless inning each from Justin Slaten and Christian Tripp to end the game.
John Henry Gonzalez got the loss for Texas Tech, going 2.1 innings and giving up eight runs on seven hits with four strikeouts and six walks. Grant Little hit a three-run homer for the Red Raiders while Josh Jung and Cody Farhat each had two hits.
The two teams meet for the final time in the regular season 1 p.m. Wednesday at Santa Ana Star Field. Robert Portnoy will provide the play by play on ESPN Radio 101.7 The TEAM and on the 101.7 The TEAM “app.”