SAN DIEGO – San Diego State pitchers limited the Mountain West's most productive offense to just four hits on Thursday, but the Aztecs still found themselves on the wrong side of the scoreboard, as visiting New Mexico prevailed by a 5-2 count in the opener of a three-game conference series at Tony Gwynn Stadium.
SDSU put at least one runner in scoring position in each of the first six innings but was unable to capitalize, slipping to 6-17 on the season and 2-8 in MW action after suffering its seventh straight defeat.
Conversely, the Lobos (16-9, 7-3 MW) took advantage of six walks in a decisive fifth inning when the visitors scored all five of their runs to help snap an 11-game losing streak to the Scarlet and Black dating back to 2021.
Making his first start since March 1, Chris Canada (0-2) pitched four scoreless frames to begin the night, posting three strikeouts while receiving a pair of inning-ending double plays in the second and third.
However, the Aztec left-hander walked Elijah Ott and Josh McAlister sandwiched around Tye Wood's flyout before hitting Devon Dixon with a pitch to load the bases in the fateful fifth.
Jonny Guzman was quickly summoned from the bullpen, but Akili Carris smacked a double into the left-field corner on the first offering from the SDSU reliever, clearing the bases to give UNM a 3-0 lead it would not relinquish.
Sean Stephens, Will Asby and Jake Holland were issued consecutive walks to bring home Carris, while Ott drew a bases on balls off new reliever Chris Canavan shortly thereafter to plate Stephens and extend the Lobo advantage to 5-0.
Canavan ultimately settled down, recording a season-high five strikeouts in 2 2/3 scoreless innings against one hit and three walks before giving way to Evan Miranda, who retired all six batters he faced in the eighth and ninth.
Meanwhile, the Aztecs finally broke through with a pair of runs in the eighth when Irvin Weems crossed the plate on an RBI single by Colby Turner, who later scored on Evan Sipe's sacrifice fly. Previously, Weems drew a leadoff walk and moved to third on a stolen base and a catcher's throwing error.
In the interim, Tino Bethancourt singled to left and took second on a wild pitch. However, UNM reliever Jaren Jackson prevented further damage after striking out Manoah Chapman to end the inning.
Drew Rutter and Finley Bates lifted deep fly balls in the ninth before Jackson induced a foul out to Shaun Montoya to end the game.
Lobo starter Dayne Pengelly (3-1) earned the victory, neutralizing five hits and a walk with six strikeouts in five scoreless innings before yielding a leadoff double to Turner in the sixth.
Jackson entered at this juncture and received a proverbial gift when Sammy Kahler reached on a fielder's choice but was ruled out after Bethancourt, who was previously hit by a pitch, interfered on the relay throw after getting forced at second.
Despite allowing two runs in the eighth, Jackson picked up the save after offsetting two hits and a walk with four strikeouts over the final four innings.
The Aztecs threatened in the bottom of the first after Bates and Montoya led off with singles before advancing on Weems' sacrifice bunt. However, Pengelly fought himself off the ropes by striking out Turner and inducing a flyout to Bethancourt.
THE NOTE
With his aforementioned single, Bethancourt has reached base safely in 10 consecutive games and extended his hitting streak to five straight contests.
UP NEXT
San Diego State and New Mexico conclude their series with a doubleheader on Friday, March 29, starting at 2 p.m. PT.
Aztecs Fall to New Mexico in Series Opener, 5-2
