The University of New Mexico baseball team will be continuing its season on the road as travel to Dallas Baptist for a three-game weekend series beginning Friday evening.
The Lobos (3-0) started out the season with a three-game series sweep of the defending American East Conference champion Binghamton at home. The Lobos outscored Binghamton 29-12 over those games, in a season-starting sweep that marked the best start for the Lobos since starting 7-0 in 2008 — the year head coach Ray Birmingham took the helm.
Last season the Lobos hosted the Patriots of Dallas Baptist (3-1) early on and got swept at home, even losing a game 33-8. But none of the losses to Dallas Baptist were more heartbreaking than when the Lobos lost in the Lubbock NCAA regional opener, ending a promising season.
With the Lobos’ excellent start to 2017 comes excellent stats from the players. New Mexico first baseman Jack Zoellner — who was named Mountain West Player of the Week — led the Lobos in its opening series, going an astounding 6-for-12 from the plate, while also logging three home runs, five runs, eight RBI and a double.
Danny Collier was also a big part of the Lobos’ offense, going 4-for-10 from the plate with a home run, a triple and four RBI. According to golobos.com, that was Collier’s first home run in his collegiate career, a span of 366 at-bats.
Lobo pitching was also a force to be reckoned with, with Johnathon Tripp picking up a win in game one when he struck out six and allowing just one hit in four innings of relief. Carson Schneider, who got the start in game two, tossed five shutout innings on his way to earning a victory. Luis Gonzalez – who also plays in the outfield – allowed one run and four hits in five innings for the Lobos in game three, helping secure a win.
Dallas Baptist brings a well-rounded team to its upcoming series against the Lobos, too. After dropping its first game of the season, the Patriots won their next three games.
Matt Duce has been among Dallas Baptist’s best hitters so far this season, going 8-of-18 (.444), with a home run, a triple, a double, four runs and three RBI.
As a team, the Patriots have hit nine home runs in its first four games of the season.
Dallas Baptist has been solid in terms of pitching, too, posting a 2.00 ERA, while striking out 34 in the team’s first four games.
The series starts on Friday at 7 p.m. and will run through Sunday. All three games will be broadcasted live on ESPN Radio 101.7 The TEAM.
Matthew Narvaiz is a sports reporter for the Daily Lobo. He primarily covers women's basketball and baseball. He can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @matt_narvaiz.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
