ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — New Mexico salvaged the series finale with an 11-5 win over Abilene Christian at Lobo Baseball Field on Sunday, riding a big fourth inning and a balanced offensive performance to stave off a sweep and improve to 2-2 on the week.
The Lobos (15-9, 1-2 MW) broke the game open with a five-run fourth inning, highlighted by a two-run home run from Karsen Waslefsky and a two-run single from Anthony Diaz to turn a close game into a comfortable lead.
New Mexico totaled 11 hits, with contributions throughout the lineup. Diaz led the way at 2-for-3 with four RBI and three runs scored, while Waslefsky finished 2-for-5 with four RBI, including his fourth-inning homer. Luke Mansy added a 2-for-3 performance with two runs scored.
Additional hits came from Lenny Ashby (1-for-4, two RBI), Gene Trujillo (1-for-4, double), Brodey Williams (1-for-2, double, two runs scored), Khalil Walker (1-for-3, RBI, two runs scored), and Akili Carris (1-for-5), as every spot in the order contributed to the 11-hit effort.
The Lobos scored in five different innings, striking first in the opening frame on Ashby’s RBI groundout before adding another in the third on his RBI single. They tacked on a run in the fifth and three more in the seventh to maintain control throughout.
On the mound, RHP Diego Alvarez (5.1 IP, 5 H, 3 R / 3 ER, 2 BB, 4 K) earned his first win of the season, allowing three runs over 5.1 innings, while LHP Cooper Corkrean (3.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R / 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K) closed it out with 3.2 innings of relief to secure the save, not allowing a run until there were two outs on the board in the top of the ninth.
After leading heading into the sixth inning of both Friday and Saturday's game before late runs from the Wildcats turned the tide in both, the Lobos managed to stifle a response on Sunday thanks to a solid relief outing from Corkrean.
Abilene Christian rallied for three runs in the sixth and added two in the ninth on a pair of two-out solo homers, but New Mexico’s early offense proved decisive as the Lobos snapped a six-game losing streak at home.
ON DECK
The Lobos (15-9, 1-2 MW) head to Lubbock for their first midweek meeting with Texas Tech on Tuesday. The action will be broadcast via ESPN+, with live stats available via GoLobos.com/BSBStats. Follow @UNMLoboBaseball on IG, X and Facebook for comprehensive coverage.
OVER THE WEEKEND
New Mexico went 1-2 over the weekend series against Abilene Christian, hitting .303 as a team with 33 hits, 23 runs and four homers while posting a 9.00 team ERA across the three games.
The Lobos produced consistent offense throughout the series, finishing with a .303/.397/.495 slash line and 13 extra-base hits. They drew 12 walks, were hit by seven pitches, and went a perfect 13-for-13 on stolen bases.
- Luke Mansy led the team with a .500 average (4-for-8) and a team-best .643 OBP, scoring four runs.
- Khalil Walker hit .455 (5-for-11) with a team-high .818 slugging percentage, adding a home run and three RBI.
- Anthony Diaz went 5-for-13 (.385), driving in a team-high five RBI while scoring four runs.
- Karsen Waslefsky also collected five hits (.357) with four RBI and a home run, scoring a team-best five runs.
- Brodey Williams provided power in limited action, hitting .400 (2-for-5) with a home run and a team-best 1.200 slugging percentage.
On the mound, New Mexico pitchers combined for a 9.00 ERA over 28.0 innings, allowing 36 hits, 28 runs and 10 home runs while striking out 34.
The Lobos’ starting rotation remained dominant even as UNM dropped the first two games:
- RHP Ryan Castillo was dominant in his start, posting a 1.69 ERA with a career-high 10 strikeouts over 5 ⅓ innings.
- RHP Cristian Mogen added nine strikeouts in 5 ⅓ innings, allowing three runs.
- RHP Diego Alvarez earned the lone win of the series, retiring the first nine batters he faced with four strikeouts in the first two innings.