April 18, 2009
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - After being shut out the night before, New Mexico's offense came alive as it scored multiple runs in four innings en route to defeating 15th-ranked San Diego State, 12-4, Saturday evening at Isotopes Park in Albuquerque. With the win, the Lobos improved to 29-11 overall while SDSU dropped to 26-14. Both teams are now 9-5 in the Mountain West Conference, a half game behind co-leaders Brigham Young and TCU.
Although the Aztecs' 11 hits were only one less than the Lobos' dozen, they stranded 10 men on the base paths as they were unable to take advantage of numerous scoring opportunities.
After New Mexico opened the scoring with three runs off Aztec starter Jon Berger in the bottom of the first, San Diego State came back to pull within a run on Mitch Blackburn's two-run bases-loaded double in the top of the fourth.
The Lobos responded in the bottom of the inning, scoring four times with two outs. After loading the bases to start the frame, Berger struck out the next two batters before giving up back-to-back two-run doubles to Mike Brownstein and Max Willett to make it a 7-2 UNM lead.
The Aztec senior right-hander pitched into the sixth inning, but after allowing singles to Adam Courhca and Daniel Gonzalez he was removed in favor of reliever James McLaughlin. After striking out the first batter he faced, McLaughlin gave up a three-run homer to Willlet that increased the Lobo advantage to 10-2. UNM added two more runs on a pair of hits in the seventh to round on their scoring.
New Mexico starter Edwin Carl came up just shy of being credited with the win as he was relieved with two out in the top of the fifth and replaced by Kenny Toves, who would pitch into the eighth inning. In doing so, Toves recorded the win to improve to 2-0 on the season.
San Diego State picked up a pair of consolation runs in the top of the eighth as Lobo third baseman Dane Hamilton's error allowed Erik Castro to score from second and Ryan O'Sullivan's single brought home Chris Wilson later in the inning.
Brandon Decker was the Aztecs' offensive leader on the night as he finished with three hits including a double and score once. Freshman first baseman Brandon Meredith (two doubles), second baseman Mitch Blackburn (double, two RBI), Ryan O'Sullivan (RBI) and Cory Vaughn had two hits apiece.
With first place in the conference standings at stake, San Diego State and New Mexico will play the rubber game of their weekend series on Sunday, April 19, at noon (MT).