The University of New Mexico baseball team eeked out a close one on Friday, but got shut out on Saturday before it was able to bounce back and take the rubber match on Sunday after in Las Vegas, Nevada.
New Mexico ran its overall record to 14-13 overall and 6-6 in Mountain West play with a 7-4 victory over UNLV on Sunday afternoon to take two of three over the Runnin' Rebels and win the series.
The series got off to a rough start at Wilson Stadium for the Lobos. Junior right-hander Justin Slaten got the start and gave up four walks in the first inning — including issuing a free pass with the bases loaded to spot UNLV a 2-0 lead.
But UNM's starting pitcher settled in nicely, despite not getting any run support in the opening innings. Slaten didn't give up another walk for the remainder of the game and delivered 10 strikeouts to help his cause and eventually pick up the win — improving his record to 3-2 on the season.
The Lobos broke through in the fourth inning for one run and took the lead for good in the fifth inning after Jared Mang drove home a run and later scored off a Jeff Deimling single to go ahead by a score of 3-2.
Slaten made sure things remained that way and reliever Malachi Emond closed the game by going 1-2-3 in the bottom of the ninth to pick up the save.
Saturday's matchup was probably one the Lobos would like to forget. The squad was dominated in an 8-0 shutout that saw UNLV starting pitcher Ryan Hare turn in a masterful performance in which he was nearly unhittable.
In fact, the UNLV junior righty punched out eight Lobos and had a no-hitter working in the top of the ninth inning with two outs. But his no-no was spoiled by Jared Mang — who sent a single into left field for the only Lobo hit of the game.
That ended the fun for Hare, but the Rebels sent in their closer to finish the job and close the book on the 8-0 shutout victory.
But scores don't necessarily matter. And even though the Lobos only won by one run and lost by right the next time out, UNM had chance to steal a series on the road and did just that.
New Mexico set the tone by scoring in each of the first four innings, bringing the bats and its running shoes to get things going early on.
Although UNM trailed 2-1 through one inning of play, the Lobos were able to pound out 11 hits and hold a 6-2 lead after four innings of play. New Mexico rallied for three runs in the top of the fourth and looked to be heading for more before hitting into a double play that abruptly ended things.
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For the second time in three days, the Lobos were able to get a solid performance from their starting pitcher after some first-inning misfortune.
Drew Gillespie gave up two runs in the bottom of the first, but picked up the win by putting in five scoreless innings of work after that, striking out seven for the game and exiting with a 7-2 lead at the time.
The relief effort was a longer endeavor for Emond this time around, as he had enter the game in the bottom of the seventh inning and pump out 47 pitches to get the job done. He surrendered a couple of runs, but also struck out five to preserve a 7-4 Lobo victory.
The Lobos will return home, but will have a difficult task facing them when they do. UNM is set to host Texas Tech for a two-game set — beginning Tuesday, Apr. 2 at 6 p.m. The Red Raiders had won six of its last seven before falling 5-4 to Kansas State on Sunday.
Robert Maler is the sports editor for the Daily Lobo. He primarily covers basketball and baseball and contributes content for various other sports as well. He can be contacted at sports@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @Robert_Maler.