ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The University of New Mexico baseball team returns home to host a three-game conference series against San Diego State on Thursday-Saturday at Santa Ana Star Field.
First pitch of Thursday and Friday’s games is set for 6 p.m. (MT) and Saturday’s game is set for a 10:30 a.m. start.
LAST WEEK FOR THE LOBOS
- The Lobos are coming home after a three-game series at Fresno State on April 8-10, in which the team won one of the three matchups.
- New Mexico dropped the first game to the Bulldogs by a final score of 11-1. Lenny Junior Ashby went 2-for-3 and Riley Egloff struck out nine batters in the series opener.
- The Lobos won the second game by 4-3. Brian McBroom picked up his second win of the season and Aaron Makil notched his second save. Kamron Willman hit his second home run of the season as he went 2-for-4 on the night.
- New Mexico dropped the final game of the series at Fresno State, 6-2. Cody Holtz launched his second home run of the season and Willman led the Lobos as he went 2-for-4 at the plate.
- The Lobos started last week with a 7-4 win over in-state rival New Mexico State on Tuesday.
- Jeffrey David had a five RBI night on two hits, including the game-winning three-RBI double in the ninth inning.
- Terrell Hudson got the start and went a career-high 4.0 innings pitched, while fanning a career-high five batters. Aaron Makil earned his first win of the season, as he pitched the final 1.2 innings of the game and allowed just one hit while fanning two.
SCOUTING THE AZTECS
- San Diego State holds the 125-84 advantage in the all-time series with New Mexico, but the Lobos and Aztecs are tied at 43-43 all-time when playing in Albuquerque.
- The Lobos and Aztecs finished the 2021 regular season together with a three-game series at New Mexico’s home turf at Santa Ana Star Field. The Lobos run-ruled the Aztecs, 17-7 in seven innings in game one on May 28, but San Diego State took the final two games.
- The Aztecs have a 7-25 overall record, going 1-14 in MW play, after a 8-3 loss to University of San Diego on Tuesday.
- Cole Carrigg leads the starters for the Aztecs with a .325 batting average, 39 hits and 17 RBI, starting in 30 games.
- The Aztecs were picked to finish third in the conference in the preseason coaches’ poll.
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.
- A few weeks passed until the Lobos hosted Arizona on their 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.
- 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 4-3 record in eight starts this season.
TOUCH ‘EM ALL ASHBY
- Lenny Junior Ashby leads the Lobos in almost every offensive category with a .339 batting average, eight home runs, 43 hits, and 30 RBI.
- 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.
- With a total of 19 extra base hits (10 doubles, one triple and eight home runs) this season, Ashby has established himself as New Mexico’s power hitter.
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 12 appearances, McBroom holds a 2-0 record and has notched three saves.
- The Oakley, Calif., native has pitched 31.1 innings and struck out 25 batters during that time. He holds opponents to a .293 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.
- His second win came in the Lobos’ 4-3 win over Fresno State on April 9. His outing consisted of 3.0 innings of scoreless ball, allowing just two hits and fanning two.
AROUND THE CONFERENCE
- With 17 triples and .53 average per game so far, New Mexico leads the conference.
- With eight starts on the season, Riley Egloff and Brett Russell are tied for first with six other pitchers in the conference for most starts.
- With three triples, Willie Cano and Jeffrey David are tied for first in the conference with four others.
SEEING DOUBLE
- The Lobos lead the nation in turning double plays with 41 DP’s this season, averaging a nation-leading 1.28 double plays turned per game.
- The middle infield consists of a combination of either Kamron Willman, Chase Weissenborn, Cole Posey or Lance Russell. All together, the four of them account for 229 assists and 121 putouts.
DONT RUN ON THE ‘BOS
- Catcher Cody Holtz threw out three Spartans runners trying to steal second base in the conference-opening San Jose State series. He threw out another against Fresno State.
- Johnny (Shane) Podsednik has thrown three out this season, one vs Holy Cross, one at Holy Cross and one at Air Force.
- The Lobos have caught eight 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. Playing mostly short and occasionally second, he has 34 putouts and 63 assists.
- Lenny Junior Ashby (Odessa College transfer) leads the team with a .339 batting average, 43 hits, 30 RBI and eight homeruns, starting in all 32 games.
- Jeffrey David (Dallas Baptist transfer) is the only other Lobo to start in all 32 games, notching a team-high 24 RBI while batting .313 with 40 hits and 25 RBI.
- Owen Loesch (Seminole State JC transfer) and Brian McBroom (Howard College transfer) have been assets out of the bullpen for New Mexico, combining for 44.0 innings and 36 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 host Texas Tech for a single game next Tuesday, April 19. The Red Raiders were originally scheduled to come to town for a two-game series but Monday’s game was canceled and Tuesday’s game was moved from noon to 3 p.m. (MT).
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