Lobos Clinch Weekend Series With 12-7 Win over Air Force
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – A nine-run first inning propelled New Mexico to a 12-7 victory over Air Force to clinch the Mountain West weekend series Saturday at Santa Ana Star Field, with the Lobos (15-11, 6-2 MW) winning their ninth in a row at home thanks to three more homers from Ethan Ott, Will Asby and Karsen Waslefsky that led a 10-hit effort.
With the win, the Lobos (5-2 in conference play) are in sole possession of first place in the MW conference standings. They’re guaranteed to be at least tied for first even if they drop tomorrow’s finale.
After not appearing in the last two games for UNM, senior outfielder Will Asby (3-for-5, 3 R, HR, 4 RBI) led the charge with four RBI on three hits, bringing in a pair of runs with an RBI base knock in the opening frame before mashing his fourth homer of the season and 16th as a Lobo for two more in the third.
Ethan Ott (2-for-5, 1 R, HR, 3 RBI) and Karsen Waslefsky (1-for-3, 2 R, HR, 2 RBI) also went deep – their fourth and second big flies of the season, respectively – to help extend the Lobos’ early lead. Khalil Walker (1-for-3, 2 R, 2B, RBI) added an extra-base hit and scored twice, while Jordy Oriach (1-for-4, RBI, BB) also contributed an RBI.
On the mound, Ryan Castillo (5.0 IP, 6 H, 6 ER, 3 BB, 6 K) kept the damage minimal after the Falcons plated two runs in both of the first two innings to picked up his fourth win of the season, improving to Luke Wiseman (1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K) and Matt Romero (1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K) followed in relief, before Tommy White (2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 1 K) closed out the final two frames.
New Mexico capitalized on shaky Air Force pitching early, with the Falcons (9-18, 2-6 MW) surrendering nine runs on seven hits and three walks in the first inning alone. The visitors answered with two-run frames in the second and fourth innings, but Asby’s two-run bomb in the the third and Waslefsky’s solo shot in the fifth helped keep the Lobos in control.
ON DECK
The Lobos (15-11, 6-2 MW) go for the sweep in tomorrow’s finale at 12 p.m. MT, with RHP Dayne Pengelly (7.18 ERA, 1-0) set to get the start on the bump for UNM against a to-be-determined Air Force arm. Tomorrow’s game will be broadcast free via the MW 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.
THE HIGHLIGHTS
⚾️ #MWBSB Highlights from @UNMLoboBaseball‘s 7-4 home win over Air Force pic.twitter.com/NhVEpD69Rv
— Mountain West (@MountainWest) March 29, 2025
