ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The Lobos return home to host Nevada, the team’s first home series since Feb. 27, where the team swept Air Force, scoring 27 runs through three games. Since then, the Lobos have been on the road, facing UNLV, Fresno State, and K-State over three weekends. Although the Lobos have gone 2-7 through the last three weeks, senior right-handed pitcher Justin Armbruester has managed to make his way into the UNM record book.
The senior from Sammamish, Wash., started on the mound in game two of the Lobos’ doubleheader versus Fresno State on Saturday. Armbruester pitched a total of 9.0 innings, striking out 17 players, holding the Bulldogs to just two hits. The 17 strikeouts are the second-most in a single game nationally this season. The senior threw a strike on 70-percent of his pitches against the Bulldogs. The last time a Lobo pitcher posted 17 or more strikeouts in a game was on Jim Serrano on Feb. 17, 1998, versus Point Lomas. Armbruester is just the seventh pitcher in UNM history strikeout 17 or more players in a game. The following week in game two versus K-State, Armbruester struck out eight batters, allowing just one run, the second-lowest for the senior this season. Because of his efforts, Armbruester has been named the Mountain West Pitcher of the Week for the last two weeks.
Jared Martin has been a consistent force on the UNM lineup and is currently tied for first in the Mountain West in triples (2) and is tied for second place in home runs (4). The senior has posted 16 hits and 14 RBI this season, tallying eight runs of his own. At first base (and sometime in the outfield), Martin has racked up 62 putouts through 13 games.
The Lobos will still be playing without freshman standout Chase Weissenborn who is currently recovering from an injury. Filling in at shortstop has been Mack Chambers, who originally started the season at the six spot. Lance Russel has been covering second base, and the Lobos are starting to find a groove in the infield.
Nevada currently leads the series 21-26 and is on a two-game win streak. The Lobos will look to change that come Saturday.
TICKETS
Tickets are on sale via golobos.com/tickets and tickets are $5. Groups of 10 or more can get tickets for just $3 each at the Lobo Group Rate. A ticket will allow you to watch any of the three events (baseball, softball, women’s tennis) that will be going on for that given day. Fans are recommended to purchase tickets in advance. If tickets are available the day of the contest, fans can purchase at the gate. No cash will be accepted.
SCHEDULE
Game One (DH): 1 p.m., 3/27
Game Two: Starts 45 minutes after the conclusion of game one, aprrox. 4:30
Game Three: Noon, 3/28
WATCH
Visit golobos.com/watch to view all three games.
LISTEN
Robert Portnoy will be calling the three-game series on ESPN Radio 101.7 The TEAM, with broadcast starting 15 minutes before each game.
LIVE STATS
To keep up with Live Stats, visit the baseball schedule page for links to each game’s live stat page.
Follow @UNMLoboBaseball on Twitter to keep up with all things Lobo Baseball.