Lobos Sweep Doubleheader Versus Air Force
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — It was an exciting day for the University of New Mexico baseball team, opening their conference play in Albuquerque at Santa Ana Star Field. This was the first sporting event with fans in the state of New Mexico in nearly a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Lobos (3-3) put on a show for the fans allowed at today’s doubleheader, sweeping Air Force (1-4) 11-7 in game one and 5-2 in game two.
After the game one win, head Coach Ray Birmingham was honored with a plaque after tallying his 400th DI Career Win, all of them taking place at The University of New Mexico.
Game One:
All but one Lobo scored in the first game of the doubleheader. Sophomore Mack Chambers and juniors Jack Silverman and Willie Cano all had two runs a-piece in the game.
Despite a scoreless first inning for both teams, the Lobos quickly showed that they were ready to put runs on the board. The Falcons were the first team to take the lead, jumping ahead 3-0. The Lobos were able to answer back in the bottom of the inning with two runs of their own. The first to score a run for UNM was designated hitter Jack Silverman. The junior first got on base off a single and then advanced to third off a double from junior Willie Cano. Catcher Jarrett Gonzales hit out to centerfield on a sacrifice fly, allowing Silverman to make it home. The next at-bat was freshman Chase Weissenborn, who delivered a single to left field, bringing home Cano for UNM’s second run.
The Falcons answered back with a run at the top of the third, but the Lobos were quick to respond, scoring seven runs off eight hits in the same inning.
The scoring started with two men on base as Jared Martin took the plate. With a 1-1 count, the senior singled to shortstop, sending Castillo home. Senior Harry Fullerton was the next at-bat and crushed a three-run home run through center field. In addition to Martin and Fullerton, Chambers also scored a run on the play. Silverman then hit another home run immediately after, posting his first run and a home run of the season. The play that made the Lobo lead 9-4 before the end of the third was a double with bases loaded from Chambers that allowed Weissenborn and Gonzales to score.
Air Force scored another run in the fourth off a wild pitch but would not score again until the ninth inning.
The Lobos, however, would go on to tally runs in the sixth and seventh innings. It was Fullerton again in the sixth who singled to center field, allowing Chambers to run home (10-5). Off a sacrifice fly in the seventh from Weissenborn, Cano scored after being on third base (11-5).
Air Force would score two runs in the ninth inning, but the Lobo lead was a deficit the Falcons could not overcome.
Chambers would end the game with three-second base hits and two RBIs. Fullerton finished the game with a home run and four RBIs.
Junior Isiah Campa was credited with the win after pitching 3.1 innings, allowing just one run and striking out two. Senior Aaron Makil opened the game on the Lobo’s mound, pitching 2.0 innings with a 5.62 ERA.
Game Two
Right-handed pitcher Justin Armbuester was the starter for the Lobos in the second game of the doubleheader and pitched a total of 7.0 innings. The senior allowed only two hits during his time on the mound, striking out eight, just one strikeout below his career record (9). Armbruester finished with a total of 98 pitches and a 4.50 ERA.
Sophomore Bobby Meza was credited with the save in the game, pitching the ninth inning, ending the Falcon’s attempt at a comeback.
Chambers posted the first Lobo run in the first inning and would score again in the fourth for a total of four runs on the day and six on the season.
Weissenborn scored in the second, tying the game at two-a-piece after Air Force scored two runs at the top of the second. Then the Lobos took the lead (3-2) in the third off a run from Martin, his second of the day.
Sophomore Cole Posey increased the Lobo lead to two (4-2), advancing off a base hit to centerfield from Castillo. Chambers’ second run of the game would be the last run by either team, and the Lobos won the game 5-2.
Coming Up
The Lobos will face the Falcons in one more game tomorrow at the Santa Ana Star Field, with first pitch set for 12 p.m. MT. The game can be streamed at golobos.com/watch, and live stats will be available here. Lobos can also listen by streaming or tuning in to ESPN Radio 101.7 THE TEAM.