Lobos Split Doubleheader with San Diego State, Lobos Run Rule Aztecs 17-7 in Game One
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — In its last doubleheader of the season, The University of New Mexico baseball team split with San Diego State, enforcing the run-rule on the Aztecs in game one. The Lobos had a seven-run seventh inning which made the Lobo lead 17-7, ending the game. The Lobos fell just short of completing the sweep in game two, falling 6-5 to the Aztecs.
GAME ONE
The Lobos quickly jumped ahead in the first game, scoring a total of five runs. The scoring started with a bases-clearing two-RBI single through the right side from Connor Mang. Willie Cano then scored Mang off an RBI triple down the right-field line. Cano was then brought in as Harry Fullerton delivered a two-run home run to the left-field parking lot, making it a 5-0 ball game.
The Aztecs managed to score a run in the second inning, which was quickly negated by another home run in the third inning, this time by Connor Mang. The momentum began to shift in the Aztecs’ favor through the fourth and fifth frames as they managed to take a 7-6 lead off of two three-run innings.
The Lobos were quick to stop the bleeding as Castillo scored a run in the bottom of the fifth inning, tying the game. Then, the Lobos took a commanding lead in the sixth inning, which started with an RBI double from Chambers that scored Chase Weissenborn and put Adam Schneider in scoring position. The two were then brought in off a single through the right side by Kyler Castillo, bringing the Lobo lead to 10-7.
The Lobos then made a run for it in the seventh inning, first scoring when Weissenborn was walked with bases loaded, scoring Cano. Chambers then cleared the bases with a triple down the right-field line, bringing home Weissenborn, Shane Podsednik, and Fullerton. Next up was Castillo, who hit a ground-rule double, allowing Mack Chambers to score on the play. A double from Kyle Landers then brought in Castillo. With the winning run on base, Cano singled to the right field, scoring Landers and ending the game as the Lobos led by ten runs after seven innings.
The Lobos tallied a total of 18 hits in the game, with Castillo leading the way with another perfect four-for-four game, his second perfect game in a row. Castillo finished with three RBI and three runs. Both Scheider and Cano went three-for-five from the plate as Cano finished with three RBI and two runs. Fullerton, Mang, Landers, and Chambers all had two hits in the game, and Chambers led the Lobos in RBI with four. The team saw a total of eight extra-base hits, including two home runs.
Nathaniel Garley started on the mound for the Lobos in his final collegiate game and pitched for a total of 4.1 innings. Earning the win for the Lobos was Isiah Campa, who pitched for 1.2 innings. Earning the save in the game was Matt Haley, as he pitched for one inning and struck out three.
GAME TWO:
The Lobos started similarly in game two, scoring two runs in the opening inning. Castillo hit an RBI double down the right-field line to score Chambers. Landers then doubled down the left-field line to score Castillo.
The Aztecs scored three runs in the second inning, but the Lobos reclaimed the lead in the fourth frame, as Castillo again hit an RBI double that scored Chambers. Landers again then scored Castillo, this time of a single through the right side.
It was a tied ball game in the sixth inning, but Castillo again came in clutch, scoring Chambers off a single to right-center. The Lobos looked as though they would complete the sweep with two outs on the board in the top of the ninth. SDSU, however, had different plans as Hendrie doubled with bases loaded, scoring two, and the Lobos were unable to complete a walk-off.
In his final game as a Lobo, Justin Armbruester took the mound for the Lobos, pitching a total of five innings, striking out eight along the way. Miguel Reyes Jr. was close behind Armbruester, as he pitched for a total of 3.2 innings and struck out seven, including two scoreless innings.
Castillo, again going a perfect four-for-four, led the Lobos in hits and RBI with three. Landers finished the game going two-for-four with two RBI, and Chambers finished the game with three hits and three runs.
The Lobos will close out the regular season tomorrow at Santa Ana Star Field at Noon. New Mexico’s 15 seniors will be honored during pregame, along with head coach Ray Birmingham, who will be retiring after tomorrow’s game, starting at 11:30 a.m. MT.
Visit the UNM Baseball schedule page for direct links for tomorrow’s game.
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