AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – The University of New Mexico baseball team hits the road once again, traveling for a three-game series at Air Force’s Falcon Field on Friday-Sunday. First pitch for Friday’s series opener is set for 1 p.m. (MT), moved up an hour from its original start time. Saturday and Sunday are still both set for a noon first pitch time.
THE FIGHT IN THE DOG PREVAILS
- After the Lobos lost the first game at Arizona (then-No. 16) on March 8 by a final score of 12-5, New Mexico got its revenge as the team defeated No. 11 Arizona by taking down the Wildcats 12-7.
- In the March 8 matchup, the Lobos actually led the Wildcats through the first six innings, until the ‘Cats exploded for eight runs in the bottom of the seventh and the Lobos were unable to come back from the deficit.
- New Mexico processed and developed its’ game through the next few weeks to face Arizona on the Lobos’ home turf at Santa Ana Star Field.
- The score and lead jumped back and forth through the first two innings, but then the Lobos had an offensive explosion for six runs in the bottom of the fourth.
- Lobo relief pitching came in clutch as the five pitchers to get some innings of relief allowed only two runs through the final six innings.
- Justin Still had a very impressive outing as he came in the sixth with no outs and the bases loaded, shutting down the next three batters on three straight strikeouts.
- Will Armbruester notched his first save of the season as he pitched the final three innings, keeping the power-hitting Wildcats to no runs on just three hits.
- Offensively, Lance Russell led the ‘Bos with a 4-for-6 outing with two runs and two RBI, hitting a single, a double and his first home run of the season. He was just a triple short of the cycle in his outstanding day at the plate.
- Justin Olson launched a grand slam in the Lobos’ big six-run fourth inning, his first home run in the Lobo uniform. His grand slam was the first Lobo grand slam since Carl Stajduhar vs. San Diego State on May 26, 2017. Nearly five years since the last time it happened.
SUNNY SIDE UP
- Riley Egloff was named the MW Pitcher of the Week on March 21 after a career outing against Wichita State on March 18.
- Egloff turned in his best outing in the Lobo uniform against the Shockers, shutting down Wichita State in a career-high eight innings while fanning a career-high nine batters, allowing just four hits for no runs.
- The Littleton, Colo., native has earned his spot as New Mexico’s Friday ace, spotting a 1.80 ERA and 4-0 record in five starts this season.
TOUCH ‘EM ALL ASHBY
- Lenny Junior Ashby leads the Lobos with six home runs this season.
- The Oranjestad, Aruba, native was named the MW Player of the Week on March 14 after hitting three jacks and a double for a .444 batting average the week of March 7.
- Not only is Ashby a power hitter, he’s also the Lobos’ RBI leader with 20 so far. He has 28 hits, including 12 for extra bases (six doubles and six home runs).
- Overall, he has a .337 batting average with 13 runs, 10 walks and 33 putouts, starting all 20 games in left field.
END OF GAME CLEANUP
- Brian McBroom, a transfer from Howard College, has established himself as the Lobos’ key closer through the first month of the season.
- In eight appearances, McBroom holds a 1-0 record and has notched three saves.
- The Oakley, Calif., native has pitched 19.1 innings and struck out 17 batters during that time. He holds opponents to a .253 batting average.
- He earned his first save against Holy Cross on Feb. 25, after going 4.0 innings and allowing two runs on three hits while striking out two.
- McBroom notched his second save against Fresno State on March 11, keeping the Bulldogs scoreless on three hits while fanning one in three innings.
- Two days later, he earned his first win of the season on March 13 against Fresno State as he had a 2.2 inning outing, allowing one run on four hits and fanning four.
- His most dominant outing came in the Lobos’ 4-0 shutout win of Wichita State on March 18. He pitched the final inning of the shutout, fanning three straight batters swinging for a perfect three up-three down inning.
- McBroom’s third save came on the 12-9 win over Wichita State on March 19 in which he pitched the final three innings and allowed two runs on three hits while striking out three to ensure the series win.
SPRING BREAK ROAD TRIP RECAP
- New Mexico fell to Texas Tech in a two-game midweek series on Tuesday and Wednesday.
- The Lobos fell by a score of 28-2 on Tuesday and by 11-5 on Wednesday.
- In Wednesday’s matchup, the Lobos led the Red Raiders through the fifth to seventh innings, but ultimately lost after giving up seven runs in the eighth.
- Braydon Runion also launched his second home run of the season, this time against his former teammates at Tech.
- New Mexico took the series against Wichita State two out of three games.
- The Lobos shutout the Shockers in game one by a final score of 4-0. The pitching duo of starter Riley Egloff and closer Brian McBroom dominated the performance, combining for 12 strikeouts and allowing just four hits.
- New Mexico won the second game by 12-9. The Lobos exploded for six runs in the seventh inning to ensure the win. Lenny Junior Ashby (6) and Runion (3) each hit home runs.
- The Lobos fell in the final game by a final score of 13-7, but Kyle Landers and Kyle Smith each notched their first home runs of the season.
SCOUTING THE FALCONS
- New Mexico holds a 146-53 lead in the all-time series.
- The Falcons and Lobos first faced off in 1957, when Air Force took a 8-7 victory.
- The squads last met on May 9, 2021, when the Lobos fell, 10-3, to the Falcons
- Air Force have a 7-12 record (1-4 in MW) so far this season, after being swept by UNLV last weekend and defeating Kansas State on Wednesday by 4-3.
- Sam Kulasingham leads the Falcons’ starters with a .342 batting average with 25 hits, 12 runs, 12 RBI, while starting in all 19 games.
- The Falcons’ Friday starter, Paul Skenes, was named to the MW Preseason All-Conference Team.
- Air Force was picked to finish fifth in the conference by fellow MW coaches.
AROUND THE CONFERENCE
- With 11 triples and .52 average per game so far, New Mexico leads the conference.
- Riley Egloff is tied for first with Fresno State’s Ixan Henderson and Nevada’s Peyton Stumbo with four wins.
- With five starts on the season, Riley Egloff, Brett Russell and Tristin Lively are tied for first with 8 other pitchers in the conference for most starts.
- With two shutouts, New Mexico also leads the conference in that category.
SEEING DOUBLE
- The Lobos lead the nation in turning double plays with 29 DP’s this season, averaging a nation-leading 1.38 double plays turned per game.
- The middle infield consists of either Kamron Willman or Chase Weissenborn at short and Cole Posey or Lance Russell at second base. All together, the four of them account for 149 assists and 75 putouts.
DONT RUN ON THE ‘BOS
- Over last weekend at San Jose State, catcher Cody Holtz threw out three Spartans runners trying to steal second base. He threw out another against Fresno State.
- During the Holy Cross series, Johnny (Shane) Podsednik also threw out a Crusader at second base. He did so against Wichita State this past weekend.
- The Lobos have caught seven stealing so far this season.
A BROWN NEW ERA
- In July of 2021, Tod Brown was hired as the Lobos new head coach to fill the role of 14-year former UNM coach Ray Birmingham, who retired at the conclusion of the 2021 season.
- A native of Arizona, Brown returns home to the southwest after spending the past 14 years as North Dakota State’s head coach, earning a 341-350 record during that time
LANDERS ON BOBBY BRAGAN WATCH LIST
- Senior first baseman/designated hitter Kyle Landers was named to the Bobby Bragan Collegiate Slugger Award Watch List prior to the start of the season.
- He held a .293 batting average with 11 doubles, a triple and a homerun for a .467 slugging percentage last season (2021).
- He was the conference batting champ with a .417 batting average and .567 slugging percentage in the shortened 2020 season.
SOMETHING TO PROVE
- Coming off a 16-25 record, the Lobos finished sixth in the conference last season, preceding only San Jose State.
- The squad was voted to finish sixth in the preseason conference poll.
- With an almost completely new coaching staff and roster, the Lobos are hoping to turn things around.
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK
- New Mexico’s 2022 squad includes 18 newcomers – three DI transfers, 12 JUCO transfers, and three true freshmen.
- Kamron Willman (K-State transfer) has been an asset in the middle infield for the Lobos. At short, he has 23 putouts and 40 assists.
- Lenny Junior Ashby (Odessa College transfer) leads the Lobos with a .337 batting average, 28 hits, six homeruns and 21 RBI, starting in all 21 games.
- Jeffrey David (Dallas Baptist transfer) is the only Lobo to start in all 21 games. He has seen plenty of action in center, accounting for 54 putouts and an assist.
- Owen Loesch (Seminole State JC transfer) and Brian McBroom (Howard College transfer) have been assets out of the bullpen for New Mexico, combining for 28.1 innings and 23 strikeouts.
LIVELY UP THE PLACE
- Tristin Lively was named to the nine-player Preseason All-Mountain West team on February 10. The all-conference team is voted on by coaches around the league.
- Lively has the second-best ERA of returning starting pitchers for the Lobos (4.59 ERA in the spring of 2021.
- In 33.1 innings of work last season, he struck out 36 batters and held opponents to a .186 batting average.
I’M THE CAPTAIN NOW
- Prior to the start of the season, the 2022 squad voted on the team captains.
- The captains were selected solely by the student-athletes.
- Newcomers Kamron Willman and Cody Holtz, along with returner Adam Schneider, were named the 2022 team captains.
ON DECK
The Lobos head back to the state of New Mexico but a little further south than Santa Ana Star Field. The squad faces state rival New Mexico State in Las Cruces, N.M., on March 29 at 6 p.m.
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