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by Connor Gilbert

Lobos Rally to Walk Off Northern Colorado in Finale, Improve to 8-0

Lobos Rally to Walk Off Northern Colorado in Finale, Improve to 8-0Lobos Rally to Walk Off Northern Colorado in Finale, Improve to 8-0
Box Score

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – It took ten innings, a last-gasp rally and a stifling five-inning relief outing from RHP Tommy White, but New Mexico’s perfect start remains on go.

Anthony Diaz delivered the final blow Sunday afternoon, ripping a walk-off double to center field in the bottom of the 10th to lift the Lobos to a 12-11 victory over Northern Colorado at Lobo Baseball Field. With the win, UNM secured its second four-game series sweep of the year and improved to 8-0 for the first time since 1973.

The Lobos now have the fourth-longest active win streak in the nation and are one of just 18 remaining unbeaten teams in NCAA D1 after the conclusion of this weekend's series.

Northern Colorado struck first and often, building a 4-0 lead through two innings and extending it to 8-1 in the fourth. The Bears finished with 11 runs on 14 hits and consistently applied pressure in their most productive offensive performance of the young season, going 8-for-20 with runners in scoring position.

The Lobos never led until the final swing of the bat, but they were never out of it.

After Karsen Waslefsky’s RBI double put UNM on the board in the third, New Mexico erupted for four runs in the fourth to cut into the deficit. Brodey Williams and Waslefsky each doubled, Luke Mansy lifted a sacrifice fly and Aidan Kuni and Damian Garcia delivered RBI singles as the Lobos clawed back to 8-5.

Diaz ignited the middle innings with a solo homer to deep right in the sixth and Akili Carris followed with a solo shot of his own in the seventh to keep the momentum building. After Northern Colorado pushed its lead to 11-8 in the ninth, UNM staged its most dramatic rally yet.

Waslefsky opened the bottom of the ninth with a solo home run to left. Diaz was hit by a pitch, Mansy singled and Kuni drove in a run with a base hit to make it 11-10. With two outs on the board, Khalil Walker entered as a pinch hitter and delivered a clutch RBI single to center, tying the game at 11-11 and sending the contest to extras.

On the mound, Tommy White (5 IP, 6 H, 2 R / 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K) provided five critical innings in relief to earn his first win of the season, allowing just two runs while striking out five to stabilize the game and give the offense a chance. He retired the side in order in the top of the 10th to set the stage for the Lobos’ walkoff victory, striking out the first two batters he faced in that frame.

In the bottom half, Williams drew a walk and Waslefsky followed with another free pass. Pinch runner Cristian Mogen -- UNM's Friday starter on the mound making the first non-pitching appearance of his career, called upon due to a dwindling number of position players available -- advanced into scoring position, and Diaz didn’t miss his opportunity, lining a 2-1 pitch into center to score the winning run and complete the comeback. 

Diaz finished 3-for-5 with three runs scored, a homer, the game-winning double and two RBI while Waslefsky went 3-for-4 with a home run, a double, two RBI and two walks in a seven-total-base performance. Carris added two hits and a homer, and Williams reached base four times and doubled twice as part of UNM’s 18-hit attack.

ON DECK
New Mexico (8-0) remains home for another four-game series next weekend when the Lobos host St. Thomas (2-5) Feb. 27 - March 1.

Admission to all 35 UNM home baseball games this is season is free. Friday and Sunday’s games in Albuquerque will be available to stream free via the MW Network at GoLobos.com/Watch, 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.