Lobos Hold Off Rhode Island 15-14 to Even Weekend Series
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. β New Mexico Baseball got back in the win column after another high-scoring battle on Saturday at Santa Ana Star Field, racking up 17 hits and holding off the Rams (4-5) late to even the weekend series ahead of Sunday’s doubleheader finale.
Ethan Ott (2-for-6, HR, 4 RBI) delivered a clutch grand slam — the first of the year at Santa Ana Star Field — that gave the Lobos a lead they would hold through nine, with Jordy Oriach (1-for-2, 2B, SF, 4 RBI) and Akili Carris (2-for-4, 3 RBI) also coming through in key moments. Tye Wood (3-for-4, 2B, RBI) and Khalil Walker (3-for-5, 2 2B) helped pace the offense, while Luke Banister (2-for-5, 2B, RBI) and Oriach each added sacrifice flies.
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The first grand salami of the year at SAS Field gives the ‘Bos a 14-7 lead heading into the 7th! pic.twitter.com/WRzUDC0zQE
β UNM Baseball (@UNMLoboBaseball) March 2, 2025
Cooper Brass (1-for-3, 3 R), Will Asby (2-for-5), and Josh McAlister (1-for-5) rounded out a performances that saw eight different Lobos record at least one hit, with six players finishing with multiple while drawing eight walks in total. UNM has now picked up 14 or more hits in six of their seven games at home so far this season dating back to the Lobos’ weekend opener against Northern Colorado on Feb. 21.
In another back-and-forth affair that played similar to last night’s 14-13 loss for the Lobos, Rhode Island leapt out to a 3-0 lead in the first before the Lobos quickly responded with four runs in the bottom half. New Mexico added two more in the second and held an early 7-3 lead, but the Rams chipped away, scoring in the third and fifth to keep it close. A five-run sixth inning gave the Lobos a commanding 13-7 advantage, only for Rhode Island to storm back with five in the seventh and two more in the eighth to make it a one-run game.
Despite the late pressure, New Mexico’s bullpen held firm in the final frame. David Lopez (5.0 IP, 9 H, 7 ER, 2 BB, 4 K) earned the win, while Jack Messmore (1.1 IP, 4 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 0 K) and Tommy White (1.1 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 0 K) worked in relief. Ty Cunningham (1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K) shut the door in the ninth to earn his first save of the season.
ON DECK
Tomorrow’s twin bill finale is set for a 12 p.m. MT first pitch for Game One, with Game Two getting underway roughly 45 minutes after its completion.Β All of this weekendβs action at home will be broadcast for free via the Mountain West Network, 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.