Lobos Fall to Sam Houston in Wild Game One, 23-14

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – New Mexico Baseball plated 14 runs on 16 hits and outscored Sam Houston 12-8 over the final five frames, but a 10-run second from the Bearkats (18-13, 3-6 C-USA) was too much to overcome in Friday’s series opener at Santa Ana Star Field.

The Lobos (16-13, 7-5 MW) broke out of their hitting slump but have now fallen in four straight for the first time this season despite hitting three homers and six doubles in a chaotic game complicated by heavy winds with gusts of over 40 mph. Reed Spenrath went 4-for-5 with his fifth homer of the season to go with a double, two RBI and three runs to lead the way and Gene Trujillo and Josh McAlister both hitting their third of the year.

They’ll face the Bearkats again for Game Two of the non conference weekend series tomorrow, set for a 2 p.m. MT first pitch.

Trujillo – a true freshman – finished a triple shy of the cycle, going 3-for-4 with a double, a single and his third homer in just his fourth career start, driving in UNM’s first three runs. Khalil Walker (2 R, 1 BB) doubled twice to lead two other Lobos – Will Asby (1 R) and Tye Wood (2 R, 2 RBI) with two hits each. McAlister and Jake Holland both drove in three runs with one hit each – McAlister with his sixth-inning round-tripper and Holland with a double and a sacrifice fly.

UNM battled back late to avoid getting run-ruled after trailing by as much as 13, but couldn’t get any closer than nine by the final frame despite holding Sam Houston to just one run over the final three thanks to 1-2-3 innings from RHP Brian McBroom (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 K) and RHP Brett Russell (1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 K).

RHP Dayne Pengelly was tagged for the loss to drop to 3-2 on the season in games of record, surrendering 12 runs – five earned – on 11 hits while striking out two and walking one over 1 ⅔ innings on the mound. RHP David Lopez lasted the longest of any UNM pitcher (3.1 IP), but was tagged for six earned on eight hits and four walks while striking out two. Three other arms took the mound for less than an inning – RHP Wyatt Hardy (0.1 IP, 1 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K), LHP Arthur Steinkamp (0.2 IP, 2 H 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 K) and RHP Andrew Neil (0.2 IP, 0 H, 1 ER, 4 BB, 0 K) to make it seven total pitchers seeing action for UNM in the same game for the second game in a row.

UP NEXT / FOLLOW THE GAME
With Saturday’s game canceled due to inclement conditions, LHP Daxton Purser (0-1, 4.94 ERA, 27.1 IP,23 K, 20 BB) is set to start Sunday’s Game Two against SHSU LHP Michael Watson (1-1, 4.88 ERA, 27.2 IP, 32 K, 13 BB), with first pitch set for 12 p.m. MT. All of this weekend’s action will be streamed via the MW Network at GoLobos.com/watch, with live stats available via GoLobos.com/BSBStats. Follow @UNMLoboBaseball on socials for promotional/marketing and gameday updates, behind-the-scenes content and more.