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Lobos Complete Weekend Sweep of UNLV with 6-5 Win

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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – New Mexico Baseball completed its first weekend series sweep of UNLV since 2017 with a 6-5 win in Sunday’s finale, with a three-run homer from Reed Spenrath and an eighth-inning sacrifice fly from Jake Holland proving to be the difference as the Lobos (10-6, 3-0 MW) remain the only undefeated team in Mountain West play.

The Lobos already clinched the series in yesterday’s doubleheader action, holding on for a 6-5 win in Game One before erupting for a program-record 31 runs to win 31-15 in Game Two. They’ll take their three-game streak on the road Tuesday for a midweek matchup with Arizona State (7-8, 1-2 Pac-12) in Phoenix, Ariz. before facing Nevada (6-7, 2-1 MW) in Reno for weekend conference action.

Tuesday’s game at Phoenix Municipal Stadium is set for a 7:30 p.m. MT first pitch. Live stats will be available via GoLobos.com/BSBStats, with streaming via the Pac-12 Network  — follow @UNMLoboBaseball on Instagram and X for live updates, highlights and more.

BY THE NUMBERS
Khalil Walker (2 R) and Reed Spenrath (1 R, 3 RBI) both picked up two knocks each to lead an eight-hit outing for the Lobos, who won despite the Rebels connecting on nearly twice as many hits with 15. Will Asby (1 R), Devon Dixon (1 R), Tye Wood (1 R) and Akili Carris all added a hit each, with Dixon and Carris driving in a run each. Jake Holland added UNM’s sixth RBI on a sacrifice fly.

UNM only needed two pitchers to get through nine innings for the second time this weekend, keeping the bullpen relatively fresh ahead of another four-game week — UNM only needed to use three arms in yesterday’s Game Two. RHP Will Bannister limited the Rebels’ opportunities over a six-inning start on the bump, allowing 10 hits but only letting four earned runs cross in that span while striking out one and walking two over 91 total pitches. LHP Jaren Jackson earned his first win of the season in relief with three innings of work, holding UNLV to just one run on five hits while striking out two to keep the lead intact down the stretch.

THE HIGHLIGHTS

THE ACTION
Bannister was sharp from the onset, sitting ‘em down in order in the first and keeping the damage to one run on two hits in the second.

The Lobos took their first lead with a two-out rally in response in the bottom of the inning, with a double from Wood and back-to-back singles from Dixon and Carris plating two runs.

UNLV tied things up  at 2-2 with a base on balls after loading the bases with one out and threatened more before Bannister induced a pair of fly balls to keep things moving. After the Rebels plated two more with an RBI single up the middle in the fourth to take a 4-2 lead, Spenrath came through with impeccable timing for his first homer of the year on a 1-2 count to score himself along with Asby and Walker, who both singled in succession to lead things off. Spenrath’s no-doubter traveled 456 feet on its way out of Santa Ana Star Field.

But the Rebels had another small-ball response to tie things up yet again in the top of the eighth, connecting on three two-out singles in a row to make it a 5-5 ballgame before Jackson could induce a liner to end the frame.

Another leadoff hit from Walker – this time a double – was crucial for UNM to get the go-ahead across, with Asby grounding out to get him to third before Holland’s sacrifice fly gave him time to give the Lobos back the lead. Spenrath and Ott both got aboard to threaten more insurance runs, but both were stranded by a fly ball to left center from Wood.

Two more two-out knocks from UNLV in the top of the ninth kept things interesting, with the tying run reaching third before Jackson induced the out he needed with Dixon making the throw to first to end the game and seal the series sweep.

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