Lobos Sweep Sunday DH With Rhode Island to Take Weekend Series
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – New Mexico Baseball took control of its weekend series with Rhode Island in Sunday’s doubleheader finale, winning 8-4 in a seven-inning Game One before taking the series with a 10-9 win in Game Two.
The Lobos improve to 8-5 on the season and 5-3 at Santa Ana Star Field this year with the series win – they’ve now won six of their last seven games heading into next weekend’s road series at Tarleton (March 7-9).
𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗟: New Mexico 10, Rhode Island 9
Cunningham ends it with the K to earn his 4th save and Lobos take the weekend series! pic.twitter.com/a5FJZ5FD1p
— UNM Baseball (@UNMLoboBaseball) March 3, 2025
UNM survived a late push from Rhode Island in Game Two, with RHP Ty Cunningham (1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K) earning his fourth save of the season after taking the mound for the ninth and keeping the lead intact Despite managing just six hits, the Lobos took advantage of 11 walks – and a five-run third inning that saw Luke Banister hit a grand slam for his first career homer – to push across 10 runs in the third game this weekend decided by just one run.
That’s a 𝘽𝘼𝙉𝙄 𝙎𝙇𝘼𝙈𝙄 😤
Banister’s first HR of the year puts 4⃣ on the board for the ‘Bos!
B3 | New Mexico 7, Rhode Island 1 pic.twitter.com/EYX7YAnZzk
— UNM Baseball (@UNMLoboBaseball) March 2, 2025
Ethan Ott (1-for-3, RBI, 2 BB) and Josh McAlister (0-for-1, RBI, 2 BB) helped manufacture runs with patient at-bats while Khalil Walker (3-for-5, 3B) was the lone Lobo to finish with multiple hits – Tye Wood scored two runs and swiped two bags despite not picking up a hit.
The Lobos jumped ahead 2-0 in the first before a five-run third, highlighted by Banister’s grand slam, gave them a 7-1 lead. Rhode Island chipped away with three runs in the fourth and two more in the fifth, but New Mexico responded with a pair of late insurance runs that proved crucial after the Rams’ cut the deficit to one in the final frame.
Dayne Pengelly (4.0 IP, 5 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, 4 K) started the game on four days’ rest after starting UNM’s midweek matchup with New Mexico State on Tuesday, while Matt Cornelius (2.2 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K) provided key relief innings. Luke Wiseman (1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K) earned the win after putting a crucial zero on the board in the eighth, and Ty Cunningham (1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K) locked down his fourth save of the season to close out the series victory.
ON DECK
The Lobos (8-5) hit the road again for their first true road weekend series of the season at Tarleton (4-8) next weekend, March 7-9. All of next weekend’s series will be broadcast via paid subscription to ESPN+, 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.
GAME ONE RECAP
A five-run second inning set the tone as the Lobos took down Rhode Island 8-4 in seven innings in the first game of Sunday’s doubleheader, racking up 10 hits and never trailing after the early surge.
Will Asby (2-for-3, HR, 2B, 2 RBI) and Josh McAlister (2-for-3, HR, 2 RBI) led the Lobos’ offense as both went yard — Asby’s second of the year and McAlister’s fifth — while Jordy Oriach (2-for-4, 2 2B) extended his hit streak to eight games with his eighth multi-hit game of the season. Khalil Walker (1-for-2, 3B, 2 RBI) tripled for the third time this season, and Caleb Herd (2-for-2) contributed a pair of singles as UNM put up double-digit hits for the third game in a row. Cooper Brass, Asby, McAlister, and Walker each crossed the plate in New Mexico’s five-run second inning.
Ryan Castillo (5.0 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 6 K) delivered another solid start to pick up his second win of the season, notching a new career-high with six punchouts. Josh Barnhouse (2.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K) turned in another tight relief outing, holding the Rams to just one run over the final two frames to secure the victory.
Rhode Island’s Anthony DePino (2-for-3, 2 HR, 4 RBI) provided the Rams’ only offensive spark with a pair of home runs, but it wasn’t enough to overcome New Mexico’s early offensive explosion.
OVER THE WEEKEND
New Mexico’s offense was firing on all cylinders over the four-game weekend series, posting a scorching .350 team batting average with 48 hits to go with 12 doubles, three triples, and eight homers. The Lobos plated 40 runs across the series while drawing 31 walks for a .486 on-base percentage.
Khalil Walker led the offensive charge, hitting a blistering .529 (9-for-17) with three doubles, two triples, a home run, and three RBIs. He also posted an eye-popping 1.118 slugging percentage. Jordy Oriach (.438, 7-for-16) matched him in extra-base production with three doubles, a triple, and a home run while driving in seven.
Josh McAlister (.385, 5-for-13) made the most of his contact, belting three home runs and driving in seven runs while tying for the team lead in stolen bases (3-for-3). Will Asby (.353, 6-for-17) and Ethan Ott (.333, 5-for-15) each contributed a home run, while Ott added two doubles and seven RBIs.
Akili Carris (.333, 4-for-12) and Luke Banister (.300, 3-for-10) added to the depth of the lineup, with Banister blasting a key grand slam. Cooper Brass (.300, 3-for-10) was one of the most disciplined hitters, drawing five walks to post a .533 on-base percentage. Tye Wood (.214, 3-for-14) didn’t put up the highest average but scored six times and led the team with five walks and two stolen bases.