Home runs were a big part of the Lobo arsenal on Saturday afternoon at Santa Ana Star Field, going yard three times in their second straight 13-4 victory over UNLV.
Lobo first baseman Jack Zoellner belted out one in the first inning, and outfielder Jared Mang blasted another in the second, both of which were three-run shots.
Head coach Ray Birmingham said he was impressed with his team’s win on Saturday, adding that he hopes Sunday's game produces the same result. The head coach said playing at home has been a factor in the Lobos playing better.
“Well, we've got to keep winning this series – we've got to sweep the series,” Birmingham said after the win. “We’re out of our funk a little bit, but playing at home helps you be out of that funk.”
UNLV (14-27, 7-13 MW) managed to score the first run of the game in the top of the first inning, after a two-out rally played out into the Rebels’ favor. A hit-by-pitch and an RBI single put the Rebels up 1-0.
The lead didn't last long though, as the Lobos (22-16-1, 13-2-1 MW) mustered three runs in the bottom of the frame. Beau Capanna led off the inning with a single and Mang was walked shortly after. After a Luis Gonzalez fly, Zoellner dug in to hit the first home run of the day for a 3-1 UNM lead.
UNLV drew within one run by adding another score in the top of the second inning. But the Lobos got the better end of the exchange again as Mang torched the ball for his three-run homer to left field, helping his team to a 6-2 advantage.
The Lobos also scored a run in the third, fourth and fifth innings, while holding UNLV to just one run over that same stretch, as New Mexico continued to pull away with a comfortable 9-3 lead heading into the sixth inning.
UNLV added a run in the sixth inning on an RBI single to shorten the Lobos’ lead to 9-4, and it looked as if the Rebels might make it a game after holding the Lobos scoreless in the bottom of the frame for the first time in the game.
However, the Lobos picked up its offensive aggression in the seventh, with third baseman Carl Stajduhar hitting a solo homer down the left field line to take a 10-4 lead.
Johnathon Tripp left the mound and Chad Smith replaced him in the top of the eighth inning, but it was reliever Carson Schneider who worked around a double and an error to escape the inning without surrounding a run to the Rebels.
In the bottom of the frame, the Lobos again added another three runs to its score for good measure, giving UNM the 13-4 win.
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Schneider pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning and the Lobos mustered its second 13-4 win over UNLV.
Despite allowing runs early on, Tripp had a solid performance on the mound. He pitched seven innings, allowed four runs on eight hits and managed to strikeout three UNLV batters. Tripp picked up the win, putting his overall record on the season at 3-1.
The Lobos racked up 11 hits as a team with Zoellner feasting at the plate, going 3-for-5 at the plate with a home run, two doubles, two runs, five RBI and a stolen base. Stajduhar also had a big game, going 2-for-4 at the plate with two runs and an RBI.
Up next for the Lobos is game three against UNLV in the series on Sunday at noon. Gonzalez (3-2, 3.86 ERA) will get the start on the mound for the Lobos, while UNLV will counter with Garrett Poole (2-4, 6-14 ERA). The game can be heard 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
