New Mexico took sole possession of first place in the Mountain West after Friday night’s 2-1 victory over Fresno State. However, that doesn’t mean much as the Bulldogs will remain in town for the weekend with the intent to surpass UNM.
Before first pitching Saturday, the Lobos will be able to enjoy first place thanks to starting pitcher Carson Schneider's gem on Friday.
The southpaw went 8.1 innings allowing just one run in his 104 pitch outing. Head coach Ray Birmingham gave his series opener starter the boot after allowing a one-out RBI single up the middle.
Alex Estrella and Victor Sanchez combined to get the final two outs of the game, preserving the win for Schneider (6-1).
Ricky Tyler Thomas of the Bulldogs didn’t have much to sink his head about either after going nearly as long as Schneider. Thomas allowed only one run in his eight full innings of work, and though the sophomore righty was dubbed with the loss, he allowed just one earned run, and if it weren’t for a late error from his defense, the game would have been tied in the bottom of the ninth.
"That was two really good starting pitchers, two really well coached teams and it was a great baseball game,” Ray Birmingham said in his post-game interview. "Carson located well, Carl (Stajduhar) got himself a couple of knocks and we did some good things defensively."
Jared Mang and Stajduhar both picked up RBI singles to give the Lobos just enough of an edge over the Bulldogs. Mang’s RBI scored Chris DeVito in the fourth, while Stajduhar knocked in Jared Holley.
Chris DeVito continued his hot season collecting three hits in four plate appearances. Heading into the series, DeVito led the league in hits (47), RBIs (41) and homeruns (8). The DH/catcher saw his second highest batting average in the conference jump to .427.
Though the low scoring contest was far from what the Lobos are used to, New Mexico used small ball well in the victory. Of the 12 hits between the two teams, only one extra-base hit was recorded, and that was Fresno's Scott Silva leadoff double at the top of the ninth inning.
Despite being limited to singles, UNM was able to manage around Schneider's stellar start.
New Mexico (21-9, 10-3 MW) for the moment has a full game on Fresno State (21-10), who fell to 9-4 in the conference.
The race for the MW crown continues as the Lobos look to win the series Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.
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Liam Cary-Eaves is the sports editor for the Daily Lobo. He primarily covers volleyball, women’s basketball and baseball. He can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @Liam_CE.
