FRESNO, CALIF. — The University of New Mexico’s baseball team opened up its three-game series versus the Fresno State Bulldogs (4-5, 2-3) with a doubleheader split. Justin Armbruester led the Lobos (5-7, 3-4) to a win in game two, pitching 9.0 innings, striking out 17 players, holding the Bulldogs to just two hits.
“Justin Armbruester pitched his tail off,” said head coach Ray Birmingham. “That was one of the best pitching performances I have seen at UNM.”
The last time a Lobo pitcher posted 17 or more strikeouts in a game was on Feb. 17, 1998. That pitcher was Jim Serrano versus Point Lomas. Armbruester is just the seventh pitcher in UNM history to tally 17 or more strikeouts in a game.
Game Two:
Other than a seemingly flawless game from Armbruester, the Lobos played a solid game to keep the Bulldogs at bay through 10 innings. Red-shirt senior Connor Mang was placed on second in the 10th inning per the NCAA extra-innings rule. Sophomore Mack Chambers hit a lead-off double to left-center that allowed Mang to hit home base. The lone run was enough to hold off the Bulldogs and serves as the game-winning run for the Lobos.
Sophomore Bobby Meza took the mound in the 10th inning, and the Lobos ended any chance of a Bulldog walk-off with just four at-bats.
Junior Kyler Castillo led the team with two hits, and Chambers, Kyle Landers, Willie Cano, Shane Podsednik, and Chase Weissenborn all tallied a hit each in game two of the series.
Game One:
The first game of the series did not end in favor of the Lobos, although the Lobos led the game through the first four innings. Junior Jack Silverman made another impressive appearance in the game, posting two hits and one RBI. Kyler Castillo and Kyle Landers both posted two hits in the game, and senior Jared Martin finished game one with an RBI. In total, the Lobos out-hit the Aggies 10-5 in the game.
Junior Tristin Lively pitched a total of six innings and struck out five. Senior Aaron Makil took the mound in the seventh inning and struck out two.
The Lobos were unable to score a run after the first inning, ultimately dropping the game 5-2.
The Lobos will close out their three-game series versus Fresno State tomorrow at 2:35 p.m. MT. Those interested in keeping up with the game can visit the baseball schedule page for the links to listen and keep up with live stats.