ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- New Mexico Baseball put together spirited offensive stretches late in both games of a doubleheader with Tarleton State Saturday at Lobo Baseball Field but couldn’t close the gap in the final frame of either as they dropped a seven-inning Game One 7-3 and fell 15-10 in Game Two.
The Lobos (12-4) will face the Texans (10-5) one more time on Sunday as UNM looks to salvage the finale and snap a four-game losing streak.
In the opener, Tarleton State broke a scoreless game with runs in the third and fourth innings before adding insurance late to take the 7-3 win. The Lobos managed just two hits in the contest but plated three runs in the seventh, highlighted by a two-RBI single from Brodey Williams and an RBI double by Tristan Russell. RHP Ryan Castillo struck out a career-high 10 over six innings in the start but took the loss as the Texans capitalized on timely extra-base hits and a seventh-inning homer from Braden Gostisha.
Game Two turned into an offensive battle, with Tarleton State using a five-run third inning and a three-run fifth to build an early cushion. New Mexico answered with runs in each of the first four innings and rallied with four more in the eighth, but the Texans’ 16-hit attack proved too much in a 15-10 final. Karsen Waslefsky led the Lobos with a three-run homer and three runs scored, while Garrett Rede added a home run and two RBI – both connected on their first triples of the season in a four-run eighth that gave the Lobos some life down the stretch. Lenny Junior Ashby drove in three with a pair of hits as the Lobos finished with 12 hits on the afternoon.
ACROSS THE DOUBLEHEADER
Across the 16 innings of Saturday’s doubleheader, New Mexico totaled 13 runs on 14 hits, batting .226 (14-for-62) with three doubles, two triples and two home runs while drawing 11 walks and striking out 19 times.
Karsen Waslefsky and Garrett Rede provided the biggest offensive sparks. Waslefsky hit .286 (2-for-7) with a triple, a home run, three RBI and three runs scored, finishing with a 1.000 slugging percentage. Rede also went 2-for-6, adding a triple, a homer and two RBI while scoring twice. Tristan Russell led the team with three hits (3-for-5) and two doubles while posting a 1.000 slugging percentage, while Lenny Ashby drove in a team-high three RBI with two hits and two walks.
On the mound, Lobo pitchers allowed 22 runs (21 earned) on 24 hits over 16 innings, issuing eight walks and striking out 18 for a combined 11.81 ERA. Ryan Castillo recorded 10 strikeouts over six innings in the Game One start, while Cooper Corkrean added 4.2 innings with four strikeouts in relief in Game Two.
Tarleton State out-hit the Lobos 24–14 in the twin bill and produced 11 extra-base hits, including four home runs, while hitting .364 as a team across the two games.
Defensively, New Mexico committed two errors and turned two double plays across the doubleheader.
ON DECK
Sunday’s weekend finale is set to get underway at 12 p.m. MT, with the action streamed via the MW Network at GoLobos.com/Watch and live stats available via GoLobos.com/BSBStats. Follow @UNMLoboBaseball on IG, X and Facebook for comprehensive coverage, promotional updates, behind-the-scenes content and more.