New Mexico took home the Mountain West crown Saturday night in traditional UNM style – an explosive offense that scores in bunches.
Though not as dramatic as most walk-offs are, UNM finished the game in the seventh inning with a game-winning single from third baseman Carl Stajduhar. The two-run RBI single sent the UNM bench rushing to the field as conference champions in a 14-4 route over the Nevada Wolfpack.
“We knew that their number one and number two were done, so we had to take advantage of their bullpen,” Lobos head coach Ray Birmingham said. “They’ve got a good team and they’ve got a good pitching staff.”
It was the 19th time UNM scored double-digit runs. In those games the Lobos have a 16-3 record when reaching the mark.
Luis Gonzalez, MW tournament co-MVP, scored the winning run off the Stajduhar single.
UNM’s centerfielder said he didn’t see whether or not the third base coach was waving him home or not. Home plate was the only thing in his sights once the ball hit the dirt, motoring around third to score from second base.
“I’m pretty sure he was waving me in, but honestly I didn’t even look for it,” Gonzalez said. “I just knew I was the winning run, so why not just risk it?”
Stajduhar said that he didn’t know if Gonzalez was necessarily going to score on his single, but once he saw the throw come in from Nevada left fielder Cole Krzmarizick, he knew it was time to celebrate.
“I had a feeling with Louie on second, he got a good jump,” Stajduhar said. “Once I saw the throw go up and be off line, that’s when I knew that Louie was going to make it safe.”
Though the final score may indicate it, the game didn’t start off with New Mexico dominating the matchup. Lobo starting pitcher Carson Schneider had a rough first inning, one which warranted a trip to the mound from Birmingham.
With the bases juiced and just one out, Schneider was able to work out of a jam allowing just one run to cross home plate.
Down 1-0 with two runners on and two outs, Stajduhar came up to the plate and jacked a deep ball over the left field wall, giving UNM the first lead of the game.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
That lead was short-lived when Schneider gave up three runs to the Wolfpack the following inning, but the Lobos were not done scoring against righty Evan McMahan, Nevada’s typical closer.
It was another underclassman that gave the Lobos another lead, one which the squad would not give up again.
Redshirt catcher and Albuquerque native Andrew Pratt connected with a huge bomb over the batter’s eye in center field for another three-run homer. Birmingham said he has not witnessed a shot over the monster wall in center field since the Lobos built Santa Ana Star Field.
The head coach said he is excited that he gets to add more numbers to the wall in the outfield. The year 2016 will adorn it twice: one for winning the conference tournament and the other for making it to regionals.
“The most important thing for me is we finally got to host it. I wanted to win it for the people of New Mexico,” Birmingham said. “It was packed. Every night it was lightning and that motivates us to play harder.”
Gonzalez said the ambiance of hosting the tournament was electric, as the Lobos cruised through the 2016 Mountain West Baseball Championship undefeated.
“I’ve never played in front of a crowd like this that’s got your back,” Gonzalez said. “They were on their feet cheering us on after every strikeout, after every hit, it’s just great energy.”
After losing the final two home games of the regular season to Nevada, the Lobos were able to take down the Wolfpack in both meetings as the club will now turn its focus to the regionals.
“To come out and beat them twice in this tournament like this was great,” Stajduhar said. “It was huge for us and keeps the momentum going for us into regionals.”
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.
