ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Anthony Diaz’ dramatic two-run walkoff homer in the bottom of ninth lifted New Mexico to a critical 5-3 series-opening win over first-place San Diego State on Friday night at Lobo Baseball Field.
With the win, the Lobos (20-12-1, 6-3-1) move within a game of the Aztecs (19-16, 7-3 MW) in the conference standings after the two teams entered this weekend in third and first place, respectively. It’s also UNM’s seventh win in a row over the Aztecs dating back to 2024.
With the game tied entering the bottom of the ninth, Shane Miller worked a leadoff walk and advanced into scoring position before the Lobos found themselves down to their final out following a double play. Diaz delivered the decisive swing moments later, launching a two-run shot to right to secure New Mexico’s fourth walkoff win of the season.
𝗗𝗜𝗔𝗭 𝗪𝗔𝗟𝗞𝗢𝗙𝗙 𝗕𝗢𝗠𝗕!
— UNM Baseball (@UNMLoboBaseball) April 11, 2026
LOBOS TAKE THE OPENER! pic.twitter.com/NLe0YR9sCV
UNM finished with nine hits on the night, with Karsen Waslefsky (2-for-4), Lenny Junior Ashby (2-for-4, 1 R, 1 RBI) and Luke Mansy (2-for-4, 1 RBI) all finishing with multiple hits to lead the way. Khalil Walker (1 RBI), Gene Trujillo (2B, 1 R) and Diaz (HR, 1 R, 2 RBI) all added a knock apiece, with Walker driving in UNM’s first run on a two-out double and Diaz ending the game with his homer to right.
The Lobos struck first in the second inning, manufacturing a run on Khalil Walker’s RBI double after Akili Carris reached and stole second.
San Diego State responded with a solo homer from Max Farrell in the fourth and added runs on sacrifice flies in the sixth and seventh to take a 3-1 lead.
New Mexico answered in the sixth, as Ashby tied the game with a leadoff home run before Gene Trujillo doubled and later scored on Mansy’s RBI single to give the Lobos a brief 3-2 edge. After SDSU evened the score again in the seventh, both pitching staffs held firm into the ninth.
On the mound, RHP Cristian Mogen delivered a career start, allowing three earned runs on four hits over seven innings of work with 11 strikeouts – the most of any Lobo pitcher in a single game so far this season – and one walk. LHP Cooper Corkrean (2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K) earned the win in relief, tossing two shutout innings without allowing a hit.
ON DECK
The Lobos get a chance to clinch the weekend series in Saturday’s Game Two, with first pitch set for 2 p.m. MT. All of this weekend’s action will be streamable via both the MW Network (GoLobos.com/Watch) and Altitude+ and televised on Altitude, with live stats available at GoLobos.com/BSBStats. Follow @UNMLoboBaseball on IG, X and Facebook for comprehensive coverage.
ALL-TIME SERIES
UNM improves to 92-134 against San Diego State all-time and 66-76 against the Aztecs in Mountain West games, with seven wins in a row over them. Head Coach Tod Brown is now 8-11 against SDSU in his tenure in Albuquerque, losing the first nine meetings before winning eight of the last 10. The Lobos are 47-49 at home against SDSU and 35-27 in Mountain West matchups at home.