After sweeping San Diego State University the previous weekend but dropping a game in Las Cruces against New Mexico State University, the Lobos returned to Santa Ana Star Field for a three-game set against the University of Nevada Wolf Pack.
The University of New Mexico would win one of the three games in the series, which was held Friday to Sunday, April 17-19, with Nevada taking first place in the Mountain West.
“We could have just as easily won two out of three or lost all three games, but winning one was very important and I’m proud of the fight this team showed in this series,” Lobo Head Coach Tod Brown said.
Game one was frustrating for the Lobos offensively. The game encapsulated when the Lobos got the first two batters on in the bottom of the first inning, but could not bring them home. This was promptly followed by Nevada right fielder Jacob Doyle hitting the first of his 2 home runs to lead off the top of the second inning.
The Lobos would go on to leave 12 runners on base in this game, but the pitching staff held things together. In the ninth inning, down 3-1, the Lobos rallied and managed to plate 1 run, but with the bases loaded and 2 outs, Lobo first baseman Damian Garcia struck out to end the game, giving the Wolf Pack a 3-2 victory in game one.
Game two was just as disappointing for the Lobo bats, as they left another 10 runners on base, but the story was the pitching. A game that was billed as a great matchup between ace starting pitchers Ryan Castillo for UNM and Ryan Oakes for Nevada was as one-sided as it gets.
Castillo allowed 9 earned runs in 2 innings of work, ballooning his season ERA from 2.14 to 3.49. In contrast, Oakes dealt 6 innings of 2-run ball in a 15-2 Wolf Pack win that ended in 8 innings per the NCAA run rule.
Game three started about as poorly as the Lobos could’ve imagined. Five of the first six batters reached base against Lobos starting Pitcher Diego Alvarez, and before he recorded his first out the Wolf Pack had plated 4 runs. Nevada extended their lead to 5-0 in the second inning, but the Lobos did not quit.
Leadoff home runs from second baseman Luke Mansy and left fielder Lenny Junior Ashby in the second and third innings, respectively, highlighted the start of the Lobo comeback. The fourth inning was when the dormant Lobo offense woke up. Down 6-3, the Lobos sent 10 men to the plate, six of whom came around to score, highlighted by a sacrifice-fly from Mansy which gave the Lobos their first lead of the series after coming back to lead 7-6. Designated hitter Garrett Rede’s second single of the inning, driving in two runners, extended the lead to 9-6.
“That inning really restored our confidence, we had some good at-bats, and that made the dugout louder, which made playing so much easier,” Rede said.
Meanwhile, pitcher Cooper Corkrean restored order for the Lobo pitching staff, going 5 innings and allowing just 2 runs, keeping the Lobos in the game. The other arms out of the bullpen were effective as well, with reliever Talor Grubbs picking up the save with an uneventful ninth inning to close out a 9-7 win, avoiding the sweep and snapping a three-game losing streak.
“Today was one of those days where things felt good. I was hitting my spots and missing barrels, and I’m happy it gave the team a chance to come back,” Corkean said.
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The Lobo baseball team will be back in action on Tuesday, April 21, for a game against Colorado State University Pueblo.
“On Tuesday, we have to come out and play better early, but I know we’re capable of doing that and I like our chances,” 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
