March 28, 2013
ALBUQUERQUE N.M. - New Mexico jumped out to an early lead with three runs in the first and built on that advantage over the course of the game as it defeated San Diego State, 14-3, Thursday afternoon at Lobo Field in Albuquerque.
With the win the Lobos (12-12, 5-2 Mountain West) took over sole possession of first place in the conference while the Aztecs (12-13, 4-3 MW) dropped into second.
SDSU starter Michael Cederoth struggled over his four innings of work, allowing eight runs on eight hits with four walks and five strikeouts. With the loss, the sophomore right-hander saw his record fall to 1-3.
The Aztecs trailed 6-0 after three innings before getting on the scoreboard in the top of the fourth. After Tim Zier opened the frame by being hit by pitch, he advanced to third on a single to right by Ryan Muno. Zier then scored on a fly out to right by Jake Romanski, but that's all the Aztecs could get until the eighth.
The Lobos, meanwhile, answered with two runs in the bottom of the fourth to end Cederoth's afternoon. They also scored once in the sixth and put the game away with four runs in the bottom of the seventh when three walks by a pair of SDSU relievers were followed by a grand slam off the bat of leadoff hitter Chase Harris to make it a 13-1 contest.
San Diego scored two consolation runs in the top of the eighth on RBI doubles by Muno and Matt Muñoz, but the Lobos answered with a solo home run by Alex Real in the bottom of the inning to provide the final score line.
UNM starting pitcher Kevin Baumgartner went 7.1 innings allowing three runs on seven hits with a walk and five strikeouts to earn the victory and improve to 2-3 on the season. Hobie McClain tossed the final 1.2 frames giving up a hit and striking out one.
The Aztecs and Lobos will continue three three-game series on Friday at 2:00 p.m. (MT) in Albuquerque.