Lobos pick first win of the season behind hot hitting and solid pitching

SURPRISE, Ariz. – A day after nearly upsetting the defending National Champions and consensus preseason top-10 Oregon State, the University of New Mexico closed the door on a ranked opponent as they impressively beat No. 24-ranked Minnesota by a score of 11-1 on Saturday evening at Surprise Stadium for the College Baseball Classic.
 
The win for the Lobos was their first of the season and was an all-around effort.
 
Offensively, the Lobos (1-1) hammered out 15 hits and scored 11 runs. Six Lobos had a hit in the game with five enjoying a multi-hit game. Both Jared Mang and Tanner Baker each went 4-for-5 in the game and totaled six RBIs. Tyler Kelly went 3-for-4 with a RBI. Leadoff man Justin Watari drew three walks and still went 2-for-3 with a RBI and three runs scored.
 
Of their 15 hits as a team, five went for doubles. Four of those were split between Schilling and Mang as they each had a pair of two-baggers in the game.
 
Defensively, the Lobos improved from Opening Day as they committed four errors against Oregon State. Against Minnesota, the Lobos were errorless.
 
On the mound, the Lobos used three arms with each pitching well. Nathaniel Garley got the start and was brilliant. The junior right-hander would pitch 7.0 innings and allowed just one run on three hits. Garley would also walk three and strikeout six. He would have perfect innings in the third, fifth, and sixth innings and at one point retired 10 in a row.
 
Junior transfer Nico Garza game on in relief in the eighth and was dominant in his Lobo debut, striking out the side.
 
After their most productive inning offensively with four runs in the top of the ninth, the Lobos turned to the bullpen for another team debut. In fact, it was a collegiate debut as freshman right-hander Tristin Lively had the ball for the ninth.
 
A native of Las Cruces, Lively was a little shaky in his debut as the Gophers (1-1) loaded the bases with no outs thanks to a leadoff single and consecutive walks. The rookie was not fazed by the situation, however, as he induced a foul out to third and a popup back himself before registering a full-count strikeout to strand the bases loaded and secure the victory.
 
The Lobos will remain in Surprise, Ariz. for two days. Their next opponent is West Coast Conference preseason favorite, Gonzaga on Sunday. First-pitch is slated for 5 p.m.