Lobos Take MLB Desert Invitational Opener, 9-6

MESA, Ariz. – New Mexico applied consistent offensive pressure to hold off Austin Peay in its first game of the 2025 season as part of the MLB Desert Invitational Friday evening at Sloan Park, racking up seven extra base hits on 11 total hits – including a clutch two-run triple from Karsen Waslefsky in the eighth – to beat the Governors 9-6.

Facing an early deficit after the Governors plated two runs in the bottom of the first, the Lobos knocked AP starter Kade Shatwell out of the game by the fourth inning with five earned runs on six hits — including three doubles and a triple. Josh McAlister homered to extend UNM’s lead to 7-3 before back-to-back homers from the Govs brought them back within one, cueing Waslefsky’s timely two-out three-bagger in the eighth that put the Lobos back up three.

T8 | UNM 9, AP 6

𝗛𝗨𝗚𝗘 two-out triple from @Karsenwaz to put the ‘Bos back up 3⃣‼️ pic.twitter.com/EZSRI0HYxB

— UNM Baseball (@UNMLoboBaseball) February 15, 2025

As it turned out, they didn’t need the insurance runs — LHP Daxton Purser was nails in relief down the stretch, retiring eight of his last nine batters faced and finishing with five punchouts in total to slam the door on a rally and earn the first save of his UNM career.

1-0 on the young season, the Lobos return to Sloan Park tomorrow to take on 2024 NCAA Regional qualifier UC Irvine at 12:30 p.m. MT. The Anteaters (1-0) defeated No. 24 Nebraska 10-5 on the same field in their tournament opener earlier on Friday.

“Really proud of our guys setting the tone tonight,” said UNM Head Coach Tod Brown. “Got some great pitching from Pengelly, Barnhouse and Purser and the big hit we needed from Waslefsky with two outs in the eighth – left a few too many on base but did a good job of staying aggressive.”

This story will be updated.

BY THE NUMBERS

• Behind solid outings from RHP Dayne Pengelly (3.2 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K) in his first start and RHP Josh Barnhouse (1.1 IP, 2 H , 1ER, 0 BB, 1 K) and LHP Daxton Purser (4.0 IP, 3 H, 3 ER,  1 BB, 5 K) in relief, the Lobos held an Austin Peay team that ranked No. 1 in the nation in nearly every offensive category in 2024 to six runs on eight hits. 
• Barnhouse earned the win to move to 1-0 on the season, with Purser recording the first save of his collegiate career.
• Ethan Ott (2 H, 2 R), Josh McAlister (2-for-3, 2B, HR, 1 RBI, 3 R) and Karsen Waslefsky (2-for-3, 2B, 3B, 2 RBI, 1 R) all finished with two hits each, with Tye Wood (3B, 1 RBI), Jordy Oriach (2B), Brodey Williams (2B, 1 R), Akili Carris (2B, 1 RBI, 1 R) and Khalil Walker (2 RBI) all adding a knock apiece to round things out. 
• McAlister finished with two base on balls and four other Lobos drew one apiece as UNM finished with six walks to the Governors’ three.

ON DECK
The Lobos have a quick turnaround before tomorrow’s matchup with 2024 NCAA Regional qualifier UC Irvine (1-0), set for a 12:30 p.m. MT first pitch. All of UNM’s games in Arizona will be broadcast for free via MLB.com, with live stats, streaming options and more available via GoLobos.com/BSBGameDay. Follow @UNMLoboBaseball on IG, X and Facebook for comprehensive coverage, promotional updates, behind-the-scenes content and more.