Lobos use big first inning and trio of freshman arms to beat GCU
PHOENIX, Ariz. – The University of New Mexico baseball team earned a split in the two-game mid-week series at Grand Canyon University as the Lobos won by a score of 7-3 on Wednesday afternoon out at Brazel Field.
All but one of New Mexico’s runs in the game were scored in the very first inning as the Lobos (9-4) struck for six runs on five hits in the frame. A night ago, the Lobos’ offense was held in check as they managed just one run on one hit in what was a 5-1 GCU win.
In that first inning, Kyle Landers got things rolling for the Lobos as he drew a one-out walk. Kyler Castillo then singled through the right side, moving Landers to second. A flare single to centerfield by Connor Mang followed and loaded the bases with one out. The first run then came across as Harry Fullerton drew a walk, forcing home Landers.
In the next at-bat, Ediberto Reyes hammered a two-RBI double to centerfield, scoring both Mang and Castillo. Following a fielder’s choice for the second out, Adam Schneider single up the middle to score Reyes and make it a 4-0 game. Two pitches later, Shane Podsednik laced a double into left field that scored Schneider and Kemuel Thomas-Rivera, giving the Lobos the 6-0 lead.
T1 | Eddie! Reyes comes through with a 2-RBI double to deep right-centerfield! It’s 3-0 Lobos! #GoLobos pic.twitter.com/no5ssKH0vN
— UNM Baseball (@UNMLoboBaseball) March 4, 2020
T1 | This one has eyes and is through up the middle for a RBI single for Adam Schneider! #GoLobos pic.twitter.com/T53NAUddJz
— UNM Baseball (@UNMLoboBaseball) March 4, 2020
T1 | Add two more runs! Shane Podsednik shoots this one down the left field line and gets it past the Lopes left fielder allowing Schneider to score from first! #GoLobos pic.twitter.com/xlvb7mW5dv
— UNM Baseball (@UNMLoboBaseball) March 4, 2020
All of that early offense was in support of Will Armbruester. The true freshman was making his first collegiate start against the Lopes (7-6) and was the first of three true freshmen to pitch in the game. Armbruester, who had only pitched 2.0 innings in two prior relief appearances, more than doubled his season inning total by going 3.0 innings on Wednesday. Against the Lopes, Armbruester would scatter two hits, allow one unearned run, walk two and strikeout two.
Matt Haley then came on for Armbruester in the fourth. The left-hander got touched up some by the Lopes as they picked up three hits and two runs, but Haley was otherwise nails as he did not allow a walk and struck out five in 3.0 innings of work himself.
In the middle of Haley’s work on the mound, the Lobos platted their seventh run of the game in the top of the fifth. In that inning, Landers got things going once more as he drew another walk, this time to leadoff the inning. After a steal of second base, Landers then ended up at third on a single through the left side off the bat of Castillo. In the ensuing at-bat, Mang drove a ball deep enough out to left field to score Landers.
T5 | Sac fly for Connor Mang and we lead 7-1! #GoLobos pic.twitter.com/Rm87ZHE22B
— UNM Baseball (@UNMLoboBaseball) March 4, 2020
Following Haley on the mound was Phoenix native, Terrell Hudson. Hudson went on to pitch the final 3.0 innings of the game and did so in rather dominant fashion. Hudson did not allow a hit or a walk and only had one base runner on a hit-by-pitch. Hudson also went on to register three strikeouts as well as he secured his second save of the season.
The Lobos will now return home and prepare for a three-game weekend series with Hofstra. The series is slated to begin on Friday, March 6 at 3 p.m. out at Santa Ana Star Field. Games two and three will be played on Saturday, March 7 in a doubleheader. First-pitch on Saturday is scheduled for Noon.