April 23, 2016
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - New Mexico used an eight-run second inning to build a lead the San Diego State would be unable to overcome as the Lobos defeated the Aztecs, 13-7, Saturday afternoon at Santa Ana Star Field in Albuquerque.
UNM (28-12; 15-4 Mountain West) opened the contest with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first to take a quick 2-0 lead.
The Aztecs (11-25; 4-10 MW) answered with one of their own in the top of the second. Spencer Thornton opened the frame with a triple and scored on a double by Tyler Adkison.
But New Mexico took control of the game as it scored eight times in the bottom of the same inning. Those runs came courtesy of nine hits including a three-run homer by Jack Zoellner to cap off the inning.
Nine of the Lobos' first 10 runs in the contest were charged to SDSU starter Chris Collins. The freshman right-hander, making his first start after 11 relief appearances, went 1.2 innings surrendering those runs on nine hits and a walk. He would take the loss to see his record fall to 2-1.
The home side added two more runs in the bottom of the third and found itself with a 12-2 lead after three frames.
San Diego State would be held scoreless over the middle portion of the game by Lobo starter Tyler Stevens, who would go 6.2 innings allowing four runs on eight hits with a pair of walks and two strikeouts. He would be credited with the win to improve to 6-2 on the year.
The Aztecs would score twice in its half of the seventh on a two-run single by Chase Calabuig only to have UNM respond with one in the bottom of the frame.
SDSU's final three markers came in the eighth inning on a solo home run by Thornton and a two-run double by pinch hitter Dean Nevarez.
The Aztecs and Lobos will wrap up their three-game series on Sunday, April 24, with a contest scheduled to get underway at 1:00 pm. (MT) in Albuquerque.