Lobos Fall to UC Irvine on Day Two at MLB Desert Invitational
MESA, Ariz. – New Mexico Baseball couldn’t keep up with a 15-hit performance from UC Irvine (2-0) on Day Two of the MLB Desert Invitational Saturday afternoon in Sloan Park, falling 18-4 to drop to 1-1 on the young season.
In his collegiate debut, redshirt freshman Cooper Brass went 3-for-4 with two doubles to lead the way, driving in two of UNM’s four RBI in the process. Tye Wood supplied the Lobos’ only other hit, a solo homer that put UNM on the board in the bottom of the sixth.
In his 12th career start on the mound as a Lobo, RHP David Lopez opened with a 1-2-3 inning but was tagged for the loss after surrendering four runs (three earned) over the next two innings of work — the senior righty only allowed two hits and struck out four in that span but walked three.
The Lobos trailed 7-3 heading into the seventh after a two-RBI base knock from Brass made it a three-run sixth, but the Anteaters plated 11 runs combined between the seventh and ninth innings to put the game firmly out of reach late. A 2024 NCAA Regional qualifier that finished last season at No. 24 in the RPI, UCI is now 2-0 on the season after defeating No. 24 Nebraska 10-5 in their opener on Friday.
This story will be updated.
ON DECK
New Mexico’s MLB Desert Invitational finale matchup with Seton Hall (1-1) tomorrow is set for a 12:30 p.m. MT first pitch, with sophomore RHP Ryan Castillo slated to get the start for the Lobos on the mound. 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.
