In part due to blustery conditions, New Mexico and Air Force combined to make nine errors — six of which belonged to the Falcons — in the Lobos’ 15-5 victory.
Air Force committed five errors in the first three innings to help UNM build a 9-3 lead. The Lobos stayed disciplined at the plate, drawing six walks over that same time frame. As a team, the Falcons combined for 12 walks.
“We thought there would be command problems (for pitchers) because of the cold weather,” head coach Ray Birmingham said. “We felt that we could throw more strikes and play more catch than they could. We worked deep in the count, and that was the difference in the ball game.”
Freshman reliever Luis Gonzalez (2-0) earned the victory for the Lobos after allowing two unearned runs on five hits in four innings.
“I think I did alright. I just came in there and tried to throw strikes,” he said. “The weather was pretty brutal, so I was not trying to stay out there on the mound too long.”
After recording five hits in the first three innings, UNM didn’t earn another one until the eighth. With two on and two out, designated hitter Chris DeVito smacked a two-run double down the right field line for an 11-5 edge. DeVito went 2-for-5 on the day and was the only Lobo to have a multiple-hit game.
UNM added one more run in the eighth and three more in the ninth for the final score of 15-5.
The win on Sunday gave UNM a 2-1 series victory over Air Force (1-6, 1-2 Mountain West). The Lobos (5-2, 2-1 MW) won the first game of the series 10-6 on Friday and lost 8-3 on Saturday.
“It’s definitely a lot bigger when you win a series,” DeVito said. “We want to win every series.”
Starting pitcher Drew Bridges struggled once again. The junior tossed just two innings and gave up three runs on four hits.
Bridges didn’t look comfortable at all on the mound as he walked four batters on the day. He’s walked seven batters this season in just five innings.
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“Drew’s had trouble with his command all year, and it’s concerning to us,” Birmingham said.
Air Force’s starting pitcher Ryan Holloway didn’t have much success either. Holloway (0-1) mustered just one inning, allowing six runs on five hits and walked five hitters.
Trent Monaghan was the only Falcon pitcher to find any success against the Lobos. He was on the mound when UNM went hitless from the fourth to the seventh inning. However, the Lobos eventually got to Monaghan and rocked him for six runs on five hits in 6 2/3 innings.
Falcon third baseman Noah Pierce went 3-for-5, including two RBI singles. Outfielders Spencer Draws and Tyler Jones also had multi-hit games for Air Force.
Thomas Romero-Salas is the sports editor for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @ThomasRomeroS.
