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by Connor Gilbert

Lobos, Bulldogs Battle to 18-18 Draw in 10 Innings

Lobos, Bulldogs Battle to 18-18 Draw in 10 InningsLobos, Bulldogs Battle to 18-18 Draw in 10 Innings
Box Score

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – New Mexico Baseball battled into extras in its final regular-season meeting with Fresno State as conference foes before travel cut the game short and forced an 18-18 tie in Sunday’s series finale at Lobo Field.

It’s the Lobos’ first tie since April 28, 2019 – ironically also against the Bulldogs, when the two teams played to a 6-6 standstill in nine innings in Fresno.

The Lobos plated the tying run with two outs in the bottom of the ninth – thanks to a clutch RBI single from Karsen Waslefsky – to take the game into extras and kept the Bulldogs off the board for the first time since the opening inning in the top of the 10th, but couldn’t complete the sweep after Shane Miller was stranded on first to end the game.

In total, UNM scored 18 runs on 15 hits to keep pace in a chaotic back-and-forth that saw two ties and seven lead changes. Akili Carris went 4-for-6 – a new career-high – and scored three runs with one RBI to lead the way, with Anthony Diaz (2-for-6, 3 R, 2 RBI, 1 BB), Karsen Waslefsky (2-for-4, 4 R, 3 RBI, 2 BB), Gene Trujillo (2-for-3, 1 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB), Damian Garcia (2-for-5, 2 RBI, 1 BB), Brodey Williams (2-for-7, 1 R) and Khalil Walker (2-for-3, 3 R, 2 BB) all picking up multiple hits. Lobo batters drew 11 walks in total while only striking out six times.

Lenny Junior Ashby (1-for-4, 1 R, 4 RBI, 1 BB) provided the biggest swing of the day with a grand slam that retook the lead at 12-11 and Antonio Gianni came up with a pinch-hit single in the bottom of the tenth to round things out.

Eight different pitchers toed the mound for the Lobos, with all 18 runs being earned. UNM was tagged for 18 runs on 23 hits, striking out seven while walking nine.

ON DECK
The Lobos (17-10-1, 3-2-1 MW) stay home for a midweek matchup with in-state rival New Mexico State (11-16, 3-6 C-USA) Tuesday at 4 p.m. MT. Tuesday’s game will be broadcast via both the MW Network and Altitude, with live stats available at GoLobos.com/BSBStats. Follow @UNMLoboBaseball on IG, X and Facebook for comprehensive coverage.