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New Mexico (26-18-1) vs. San Diego State (26-19)
Tuesday, May 2 • 6:30 p.m. (MT)
TBD vs. RHP Andy Frakes
Santa Ana Star Field – Albuquerque, N.M.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The University of New Mexico baseball team plays its final midweek game of the regular season and does so against its Rio Grande Rivalry foe New Mexico State 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Santa Ana Star Field
The Lobos have taken two games from the Aggies this season – both away from Albuquerque. UNM defeated NMSU 8-2 on March 7 in El Paso in a game the Lobos used eight pitchers and the Aggies used nine. Jack Zoellner paced UNM at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a home run, two RBI and two runs. In the second game played March 28 in Las Cruces, the Lobos won 5-3 behind a strong effort out of the bullpen from Cody Dye (3.2 innings of scoreless relief), Justin Slaten (one scoreless inning) and Christian Tripp (one scoreless inning). At the plate Andre Gregory led UNM by going 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI.
The Aggies have lost four straight, including being swept at home by WAC foe Grand Canyon over the weekend. NMSU’s losing streak started with a loss on the road at No. 13 Arizona 11-2 before losing three straight to the Lopes 11-9, 7-2 and 9-0. It dropped NMSU to 11-4 in WAC play and into second place behind GCU (16-2 in WAC play).
LAST TIME OUT FOR UNM … The Lobos put themselves in a strong spot to claim their first regular-season title since 2014 and to host the Mountain West Tournament when they took two of three on the road from San Diego State this past weekend.
UNM dropped the opener Friday 4-0 as the Lobos struggled to string together hits against Aztec lefty Brett Seeburger (UNM was blanked for the fifth time this season). Tyler Stevens took the loss, going seven innings and giving up three runs on eight hits with seven strikeouts and one walk.
But the UNM bats turned it around in game two Saturday as it cranked out 11 runs on 13 hits in the first three innings to cruise to the 11-6 win. Jared Mang and Danny Collier each had three hits and two RBI while Carl Stajduhar went 3-for-4 with an RBI and three runs. Johnathon Tripp got the win, going six innings while giving up two earned runs on five hits with seven strikeouts. Drew Gillespie picked up his first career save by tossing the final three innings.
The Lobos took the rubber match Sunday as it rallied from 4-2, 7-4 and 10-7 deficits to defeat the Aztecs 12-10. The big shot came from Jared Mang as the sophomore blasted a three-run, go-ahead homer in the seventh inning to give the Lobos a 12-10 lead. Mang finished 3-for-5 with two home runs and six RBI. Carson Schneider picked up the win, going two innings and giving up three runs on three hits with two walks. Christian Tripp picked up his sixth save, going the final three innings and giving up two hits and no runs with a pair of strikeouts.
The Lobos picked up a key win against No. 6 Texas Tech 16-5 on Tuesday before falling to the Red Raiders 27-15 on Wednesday with both games played at Santa Ana Star Field.
In the Lobos’ win Tuesday, they got a strong start from Carson Schneider as the senior went six innings and gave up four runs (three earned) on seven hits with a career-high seven strikeouts and no walks to pick up his 19th career win, tying him for 10th on the UNM all-time list.
At the plate UNM had six players with multiple hits with Luis Gonzalez leading the way, going 3-for-5 with three RBI, two runs and a double. Danny Collier also drove in three runs while going 2-for-3 while Jared Mang, Jack Zoellner and Andre Gregory each had two hits and two RBI as well.
On Wednesday the Lobos scored nine unanswered to rally from an 11-5 deficit to take a 14-11 lead in the fifth inning before the Red Raiders scored 16 straight to come away with the 27-15 win.
Carl Stajduhar drove in a career-high seven runs for the Lobos while going 3-for-3 with a home run. Hayden Shilling, Daniel Herrera and Jared Mang had three hits apiece while Gonzalez and Collier each had two.
SCOUTING NEW MEXICO STATE … The Aggies continue to be led by their hitting as they are 19th in the nation at .311 and have seven players hitting above .300 – led by Brent Sakurai’s .368 average to go along with three home runs, 10 doubles and 27 RBI.
Mason Fishback is hitting .342 with four homers and 37 RBI, Austin Botello is batting .330 with four homers and 41 RBI, LJ Hatch is hitting .329 with a pair of homers and 27 RBI, Dan Hetzel is batting .321 with nine home runs and a team-high 48 RBI, Joey Ortiz is hitting .306 with 22 RBI and Tristen Carranza is hitting .304 with a team-best 12 home runs, 37 RBI and 34 runs.
UNM BASEBALL NOTES
- MANG NAMED MOUNTAIN WEST PLAYER OF THE WEEK … The heroics of Jared Mang on Sunday in beating San Diego State capped an outstanding week for the sophomore and he was recognized for his production Monday by being named the Mountain West Player of the Week.
Mang went 11-for-25 on the week (.440) with three home runs, a double, 11 RBI and eight runs in helping the Mountain West-leading Lobos split a pair of games with No. 4 Texas Tech and take two of three at second-place San Diego State to increase its lead in the conference.
The Lobo outfielder showed his talents Sunday, hitting a game-tying two-run home run in the fifth inning before blasting a three-run, go-ahead homer in the seventh inning to give the Lobos the lead for good at 12-10. Mang finished the game 3-for-5 with two home runs, three runs and six RBI.
It was one of four multi-hit games for Mang during the week, including three three-hit games. He went 2-for-5 with two RBI and a run in a 16-5 win over Texas Tech on Tuesday in Albuquerque, 3-for-5 with a home run and three runs scored in a loss to the Red Raiders Wednesday and 3-for-6 with a double, two RBI and a run in an 11-6 win over SDSU on Saturday to go along with his Sunday performance.
It’s the second time the Los Alamos, N.M., native has won the award this season (April 3) and in his career.
- 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 No. 2 with 8.7 per game.
UNM is also in the top 20 in the nation in average (.316 – 8th), on-base percentage (.419 – 4th) and slugging percentage (.486 – 11th) while the Lobos are third in the country in doubles (111) and doubles per game (2.47).
- STAJDUHAR – A BASEBALL MAGNET … Third baseman Carl Stajduhar has been taking a beating at the plate as of late as he’s been plunked in seven of the last eight games and has been hit 10 times in the last 13 games. Overall the junior has been hit by a pitch 12 times this season -42nd in the nation. In his career, Stajduhar has been hit 29 times – third in UNM history.
HIT BY PITCH (Career)
39 Jared Holley, 2013-16
38 Joe Salas, 2001-04
29 Carl Stajduhar, 2015-present
28 Chris Alexander, 2000-03
28 Aaron Santini, 1991-93
- 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.
- 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 five home runs in the last seven games to give him 11 on the season. It also gives the junior 38 in his career, good for seventh on the UNM all-time list. Stajduhar has also reached the UNM RBI all-time top 10 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
38 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
171 Carl Stajduhar, 2015-present
167 Mitch Garver, 2010-13
166 Scott Candelaria, 1998-2000
- 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 (45) and 22nd 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 250. Leading the way in walks drawn for UNM is Luis Gonzalez (41, fifth in the NCAA) and Jack Zoellner (35, 27th).
- 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 165 of the Lobos’ 166 games during his career, including the last 153 – 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
153 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 has moved himself into fourth place on UNM’s all-time walks list with 115. Here is the current all-time list.
WALKS (Career)
152 Lon Yamaguchi, 1996-99
133 Matt Young, 2002-04
126 Gerardo Yepiz, 1990-92
115 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 75 games for the cherry and silver, tied for second all-time. He’s three appearances away from setting a new Lobo record.
APPEARANCES (Career)
77 Taylor Duree, 2013-16
75 Joe Coleman, 1985-88
75 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
195 Tyler Stevens, 2015-17
188 Chris Cooper, 2000-01
175 Rudy Jaramillo, 2009-12
- 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 20-6 in his career, reaching the all-time top 10. His .769 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 19-12 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 Carson Schneider, 2014-present
20 Rod Adair, 1971-74
19 Dean Duane, 1982-85
19 Jim Sharpe, 1979-82
19 Ralph Sallee, 1966-68
19 Tyler Stevens, 2015-presentWINNING PCT. (Career, Min. 15 Dec.)
.773 (17-5) Luis Gonzalez, 1995-96
.769 (20-6) Carson Schneider, 2014-present
.750 (12-4) Jim Coleman, 1991-94
.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
- A RECORD OF ENDURANCE … First baseman Jack Zoellner is on the cusp of recording more putouts than any other Lobo in program history.
PUTOUTS (Career)
1,886 Daniel Stovall, 2004-07
1,810 Jack Zoellner, 2014-present
1,388 Chris Alexander, 2000-03
1,136 Mitch Garver, 2010-13
1,008 Mark Gulseth, 1991-93
- 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 149 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 25-0-1