The University of New Mexico baseball team finished the weekend strong, defeating Air Force 7-4 in the series finale on Sunday afternoon at Santa Ana Star Field.
Sophomore Cody Dye started on the mound for the Lobos (10-12-1, 4-5 MW). He pitched seven strong innings, allowing four runs on eight hits and struck out eight Air Force batters to put himself in line for the win.
The strikeout total tied a career high for the sophomore righty, but also delivered a career-high 133 pitches toward home plate before the workhorse exited the game.
The win was the Lobos’ second in their three-game series against the Falcons this weekend, as they had won Saturday’s matchup, too, behind a walk-off home run in the 10th inning, courtesy of senior Danny Collier.
From the get-go on Sunday, UNM played well. Dye, in the first inning, didn’t allow a hit nor a run from the visiting Falcons (9-14, 3-6).
The Lobos started strong offensively — loading the bases with two out in the bottom of the first inning. Then Air Force’s starting pitcher, senior Ryan Holloway, walked UNM freshman Connor Mang to give the Lobos their first run and keep the bags full.
Junior Jeff Deimling was then hit by a pitch to plate another Lobo run, before freshman Phillip Sikes singled to center field to add another pair of runs to make it 4-0 in favor of New Mexico.
The Falcons had a response for Dye in the third inning, picking up their first hits — and runs — of the game. An RBI single and an RBI double brought Air Force within two runs of UNM, 4-2. But that’s all they would get in the inning, as Dye struck out Air Force freshman Tyler Ward with runners left on base.
After retiring the side in the fourth inning, Dye proceeded to give up another two runs in the fifth inning to Air Force. Air Force senior Tyler Zabojnik doubled to lead off the inning, before he was brought home on an RBI double two at-bats later. With two outs, Air Force again got another run on an RBI single to tie things up at four runs apiece.
Watari tacked on another run in the bottom of the sixth inning for the Lobos. In the top of the seventh, Dye gave up a hit, though Air Force wasn’t able to capitalize with runners on base.
UNM again added another two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, by way of a two-run single from sophomore Robby Campillo to put UNM up 7-4.
Sophomore pitcher Nathaniel Garley came in to relieve Dye in the eighth inning and, in the process, retired the Falcons in order.
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Garley stayed on the mound through the ninth inning, though he walked the first Air Force batter he faced. The next at-bat, though, boded well for Garley. Air Force Senior Ryan Robb struck out, and the runner who was walked was called out by way of interference, thus completing the double play. The last batter grounded out shortly after, and Garley picked up the save.
In just two innings, Garley didn’t allow a single hit or run while also striking out two batters.
For UNM, Watari went 3-for-4 at the plate with an RBI and a double. Collier crosses the plate twice, while also going 2-for-5, and Campillo and Sikes each had two hits, one run and two RBI to their names.
The Lobos will travel to San Diego, California to take on the San Diego State Aztecs on Thursday, March 29. They’ll play through Saturday, in a three-game series.
Matthew Narvaiz is a senior sports reporter for the Daily Lobo. He primarily covers men’s and women’s basketball, and baseball. He can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @matt_narvaiz.
