Lobos Sweep Doubleheader in Dominant Outing Versus San Jose State
SAN JOSE, Calif. — The University of New Mexico baseball team got straight to work in Calif. as it swept its doubleheader versus San Jose State. The Lobos inflicted the run-rule on the Spartans after leading by 12 runs after seven innings in game two. The Lobos outscored the Spartans 20-2 on the day, posting a 6-2 win in game one.
“Both Connor Mang and Kyler Castillo had the clutch hits in game one behind excellent pitching from (Nathaniel) Garley and (Miguel) Reyes Jr.,” said head coach Ray Birmingham.
“In game two, Harry Fullerton was enough, and ace Justin Armbuester struck out 12 and walked none.”
Game One
San Jose State scored first in the fourth inning, but the Lobos had some sixth-inning magic as Connor Mang got to the plate with bases loaded. Mang cleared the bases by doubling down the left-field line, scoring Lance Russell, Kyler Castillo, and Mack Chambers.
In the seventh inning, Castillo delivered a three-RBI bomb through the left-field, scoring Chambers and Adam Schneider on the play. Castillo finished the game going three-for-four from the plate, with three RBIs and two runs.
The Spartans tried to answer back in the eighth inning by scoring a run, but the Lobos ended any hope of a comeback, finishing the game with 27 putouts.
Starting on the mound for the Lobos was Garley, who pitched for five innings, retiring five Spartans. Garley allowed just five hits and one run in the game. Reyes Jr. took the mound next, pitching for a total of 3.2 innings while striking out four and allowing just four hits. Cody Dye got the game-ending out in the ninth inning and was credited with the save.
Chambers and Mang both went two-for-four in the game as Mang tallied three RBIs and Chambers earned two runs. Willie Cano also added two hits in the game.
Game Two
With the momentum in their favor, the Lobos came out hot in game two, scoring five runs in the first inning alone. Castillo was the first to bring in a run off of a base hit up the right side, which scored Schneider. Mang then brought in Chambers off of an RBI single, loading the bases. The next at-bat was Cano, who hit towards the shortstop and brought home both Russell and Castillo. Mang then scored the fifth run of the inning after making it home from third off a wild pitch.
The Spartans went on to score two runs in the bottom of the first, and Justin Armbruester held the Spartans scoreless through the next six innings. Armbruester pitched a complete game on the mound and faced 26 batters, struck out 12, allowed just five hits, and walked none. The last time a UNM pitcher walked none in a complete game was Carson Schneider in 2016 versus San Diego State.
With the Spartans held scoreless, the Lobos were able to go on a run, starting with an RBI double by Cano in the third that scored Castillo, giving the Lobos a four-run lead. It was then a seven-run fourth inning that sealed the sweep for the Lobos.
With bases loaded, Chambers was hit-by-a-pitch, advancing all 90-feet, scoring Gonzales. The next at-bat was Castillo, who reached fist and scored Chase Weissenborn. Immediately after this play, Jack Silverman singled to the left-field, scoring Scheider. Next up was Mang, who, on a 0-0 count, singled through the left field, giving Castillo enough time to make it home. In to pinch-hit was Harry Fullerton, who did not miss a step as he hit a three-run home run, scoring Mang and Silverman along the way, giving the Lobos a 13-2 lead.
Fullerton went yard again in the seventh inning for a final score of 14-2. Fullerton finished the game going a perfect two-for-two, with four RBIs, two runs, and two home runs. Gonzales (2-6), Mang (2-4), Castillo (2-4), and Schneider (3-5) all had multiple hits in the game, and all but two finished with two or more RBIs.
The Lobos will look to complete the series sweep of San Jose State tomorrow at 2 p.m. MT in San Jose, Calif. Visit the UNM Baseball page for direct links to keep up with the game.
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