Lobos Hit 6 HR to Win Fourth Straight Over UNLV, 13-7

LAS VEGAS, Nev. — New Mexico Baseball (21-16, 9-7 MW) kept its bats rolling and took the series opener from UNLV on Thursday night at Earl E. Wilson Stadium, launching six home runs and scoring 13 runs in the third through eighth innings after falling behind 0-2 early to outpace the Rebels (18-19, 5-11 MW), 13-7.

With the win, the Lobos (21-16, 9-7 MW) have won five of their last six since getting swept on the road at first-place Fresno State (April 4-6), with double-digit runs and hits in all six games – they’re averaging 15.3 runs and 14.04 hits per nine innings in that span. It’s also the Lobos’ fourth-straight victory over the Hustlin’ Rebels after sweeping them in their first MW weekend series of the year earlier in March — they’ve now won nine of the last 10 meetings between the two teams.

UNM moves into a two-way tie for second place in the MW standings with Nevada (21-16, 9-7 MW) for the time being after San Jose State (20-18, 8-8 MW) dropped its series opener with San Diego State (12-26, 8-8 MW) as both move into a tie for fourth place.

After falling behind 2-0 in the first, the Lobos stormed back with five runs in the third – rally sparked by Josh McAlister’s first homer of the night and capped off by a clutch two-out double from Akili Carris that yielded two runs – and put up a pair of runs in five of the next six frames to build a commanding lead. 

Josh McAlister (3-for-5, 2 RBI, 2 R, 2 HR) and Ethan Ott (2-for-5, 3 RBI, 2 R, 2 HR) both homered twice to lead UNM’s 15-hit day, both reaching 11 home runs on the year.

Jordy Oriach (3-for-4, HR, 2B, 2 RBI) delivered his 2th home run of the year to remain in sole possession of the team lead and added a sacrifice fly.

Akili Carris (3-for-5, 2B, 2 RBI) and Will Asby (2-for-5, HR, 2 RBI) both drove in multiple runs as well, while Luke Mansy (1-for-3, 2 R, BB) scored twice and singled after his hit streak was snapped on Tuesday. Khalil Walker (1-for-4, RBI, BB) capped the scoring with an RBI single in the eighth – his first hit of the night.

On the mound, LHP Daxton Purser (6.2 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 5 K) worked into the seventh and picked up his second win of the season, tossing five scoreless frames in a row – with 1-2-3 innings in the fifth and sixth – and producing the first two outs of the seventh. He exited with an eight-run lead before three Lobo relievers finished off the final 2.1 innings.

RHP Ty Cunningham (1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K) shut the door late, recording the final five outs without allowing a hit to close out the win.

ON DECK
The Lobos look to secure their fourth conference series win of the season in Friday’s Game Two at 7 p.m. MT, with LHP Presley Monteforte getting the start on the bump for the third weekend in a row. All of this weekend’s series will be available to stream 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 13-7 win over UNLV pic.twitter.com/PSMDG6e5ol

— Mountain West (@MountainWest) April 18, 2025

THE ALL-TIME SERIES
• UNM trails the all-time series 95-103, holding a 48-29 advantage over the Rebels at home with a 45-74 record against them in Vegas.
• The Lobos went 5-1 against the Hustlin’ Rebels last season, with UNM’s sweep in March marking the first series win over the Rebels since 2019. They’ve now won three series in a row over them, sweeping
them in three games at home to open MW play March 14-16 (12-6, 13-3 [8], 11-8).
• Head Coach Tod Brown improves to 11-8 against UNLV in his tenure at UNM. The Lobos have now won nine of the last 10 meetings.