Like the weather at the Santa Ana Star Field during the game, The University of New Mexico baseball team opened its first week of the new season with a turbulent but eventual sweep of the Fordham University Rams.
Held on Friday, Feb. 13, game one of the series was a back and forth affair that started very promisingly for UNM, as Lobo pitcher Cristian Mogen began his season by striking out Fordham designated hitter Ernie Little and went on to retire his first six batters. Meanwhile, on the other side of the ball, Lobo designated hitter Aidan Kuni grounded into a fielder’s choice and drove in the first run of the season to give them an early lead.
The wheels fell off for Mogen in the third inning, as he gave up a home run to Rams left fielder Mason Dean and proceeded to hit third baseman Madden Ocko. The scoring in the inning was not all the fault of Mogen, who had to force two ground balls that his infield could not capitalize on and turn into outs.
“We had two double play balls, and that inning’s a one or two spot instead of a five spot — it’s very difficult to win games when you don’t make plays and that almost cost us the game,” Lobos Head Coach Tod Brown said.
The inning bit the Lobos, and after walking second baseman Taylor Kirk, catcher Tommy McAndrews hit a 3-run shot to give the Rams a 5-1 lead. Madden then hit a home run in the top of the fourth inning, and before the Lobos could blink, they were down 6-1.
The Lobos didn’t let the 5-run deficit faze them as they mounted rallies of their own in the sixth and seventh innings. In the sixth, Lobo outfielder Anthony Diaz and infielder Akili Carris were at second and third when Kuni drove them in with a double. The hits didn't stop there, with Lobo second baseman Luke Mansy and catcher Caleb Herd bringing in two more with singles to left field, and making it a one run game.
The heroics continued in the seventh inning as the game fell on Kuni’s plate again. Diaz had found his way to third after new Rams pitcher Robbie Stewart followed an error with a wild pitch. All Kuni had to do was make contact and he would tie the game. Instead, he drove the ball to deep center field for a home run, flipping the scoreboard and giving the Lobos the lead.
“The hitters around me give me a lot of confidence. I have faith the guys in front of me like Luke are going to get the job done and if not, Lenny (Ashby) is right behind me, and I think that’s contributed to my success,” Kuni said.
The lead stayed at one in the ninth for the Lobos as pitcher Luke Wiseman tried to close it out. Rams right fielder Joey Donnelly had other plans, crushing a ball to deep right field with a man on, giving the Rams a late lead.
Once again, the Lobos were forced to respond and they didn’t run from the opportunity. UNM loaded the bases and chased pitcher Declan Cawley from the game, forcing Fordham to bring out Koen Smith from the bullpen, who immediately walked in the tying run. Smith thought he had sent the game to extras when he induced a ground ball from Diaz, but it took a Lobo bounce off Rams first baseman Matt Dieguez to give UNM a dramatic walk-off win 10-9.
The rest of the series had far less drama as the Lobos steamrolled the next three games, winning 18-8, 16-6, and 24-5 in each of the next three games, respectively. These games all ended in seven innings in accordance with the NCAA’s run rule.
“We dominated, we showed how good we are on offense and our pitching held us – so we just have to keep it up and keep working,” Lobo outfielder Garrett Rede said.
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Rede’s grand slam blew open the 24-5 rout on Sunday that secured the sweep for the Lobos.
One of the main factors in the following games from Feb. 14-15 was the plate discipline the Lobos showed. They had double digit walks in all three games that took place on Saturday and Sunday.
“That’s what we’re trying to do, we want to lead the country in walks and doubles,” Brown said.
The Lobos will look ahead to next weekend’s four-game series against Northern Colorado University at Santa Ana Star Field.
“New team, new opponent — we’ll enjoy this today, and tomorrow we’re back to work,” Brown said.
Elizabeth Bolke is a freelance reporter for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on X @dailylobo
Marley Herndon is a beat reporter for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on X @Dailylobo
