Lobos Drop 11-Inning Slugfest in Game Two
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – New Mexico traded blows with Fresno State through 11 innings in a back-and-forth slugfest on Friday night at Santa Ana Star Field but came up just short in a 11-10 defeat, as the Bulldogs clinched the series and a bye in the first round of the MW Tournament next week.
With the loss, the Lobos (29-22, 16-13 MW) are out of the race for a regular-season title and will be the No. 3 seed at next week’s Mountain West Championship, held May 21–24 at Sloan Park in Mesa, Ariz. New Mexico will aim to build momentum heading into the postseason with a Senior Day win in Saturday’s finale, set to get underway at Noon MT.
UNM rallied from an early 3-0 deficit and led by as many as two runs in the sixth and seventh innings but couldn’t put the Bulldogs away late, as Fresno State scored the game-tying run in the ninth and plated two more in the 11th to secure the series win. The Lobos finished with 15 hits, three home runs, and seven extra-base knocks overall.
Josh McAlister (4-for-6, HR, 2B, RBI, 2 R, SB) matched a career-high he set last Sunday at Air Force with four hits to lead UNM’s 15-hit night, extending his hitting streak to seven games in the process. Jordy Oriach (1-for-4, HR, 2 BB, 3 R) blasted his 16th homer of the season to open the seventh, while Ethan Ott (1-for-6, HR, 2 RBI) connected for his 15th long ball of the year to tie things up and give the Lobos late life in the bottom of the 10th. Luke Mansy (2-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI) and Akili Carris (2-for-3, 2 2B) both recorded multi-hit efforts, while Khalil Walker (2-for-5, 2 RBI) chipped in with a pair of RBI singles in back-to-back innings.
Six different pitchers saw action for UNM, with RHP Cristian Mogen (5.0 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 5 K) keeping the Lobos in the game early. Relievers Tommy White (2.2 IP, 3 ER) and Ty Cunningham (1.1 IP, 2 ER) pitched into the eighth and ninth before Ryan Castillo (1.0 IP, 2 ER) took the loss in the 11th.
The Lobos turned two double plays and committed no errors defensively, while the bullpen stranded nine Fresno State runners to keep the game within reach into extras.
UP NEXT
The Lobos look to salvage a win on Senior Day tomorrow at 12 p.m. MT at Santa Ana Star Field. All of this weekend’s series at Santa Ana Star Field will be available to stream free via the MW Network at GoLobos.com/Watch, with live stats, streaming options and more available via GoLobos.com/BSBGameDay. Follow @UNMLoboBaseball on IG, X and Facebook for comprehensive coverage, promotional updates, behind-the-scenes content and more.