Aztecs Topped by New Mexico in Seesaw Battle, 12-8

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Despite three home runs, San Diego State was unable to keep pace with New Mexico on Sunday, dropping a 12-8 decision in the final game of a Mountain West series at Lobo Baseball Field.

With the loss, the Aztecs slip to 19-18 on the season and 7-5 in conference play, while the Lobos complete the weekend sweep and maintain their grip on first place in the MW standings, improving to 22-12-1 overall and 8-3-1 in league action.

In a seesaw battle, SDSU forged a pair of one-run leads in the third and seventh innings, only to see UNM answer and reclaim the upper hand on both occasions.

Max Farrell tied his career high with three hits to lead the Aztec offense, while Tyce Peterson (2-for-5) collected three RBIs, including a two-run homer in the fifth that gave the Scarlet and Black a 3-2 advantage. Peterson went yard for his team-leading ninth blast of the season, plating Drew Rutter, who previously beat out a ground ball to second.

However, the Lobos responded with a pair of markers in their half of the frame when Brodey Williams and Karsen Waslefsky both singled and scored on a double by Lenny Junior Ashby, which put the hosts in front 4-3.

UNM extended its lead to 5-3 in the sixth when Damian Garcia drew a leadoff walk and took third on Luke Mansy’s double to left before crossing the plate on Akili Carris’ single up the middle. The Lobos threatened to pad their cushion after Williams walked to load the bases, but Khalil Walker lined out to third before Jake Frohn induced a 6-4-3 double play to prevent further damage.

Buoyed by its good fortune, SDSU put up three runs on four hits in the seventh to regain a slim 6-5 edge. Anthony Marnell IV and Zane Kelly led off with consecutive singles, while Drew Rutter reached on a fielder’s choice as Marnell was forced out at third during a bunt attempt. Moments later, Peterson knocked in Kelly with a double to left center and later raced home, along with Rutter, on Jabin Trosky’s sharp single to center.

The Aztecs’ lead would prove to be short-lived, however, as UNM vaulted in front to stay with four runs on three hits and two errors in their half of the inning. Ashby was issued a one-out walk, while Gene Trujillo followed with a single to shallow right, as both runners ultimately circled the bases. Ashby scored from second when Garcia’s single was bobbled in center, while Mansy walked to load the bases.

Shortly thereafter, Carris drove in Garcia and Trujillo with a single that was mishandled in left center, allowing Mansy to take third.  Williams then followed with a sacrifice fly to give the hosts a 9-6 advantage.

SDSU narrowed the gap to 9-8 in the eighth when Farrell crushed a 2-1 pitch from Lobo reliever Ty Cunningham over the left field fence, plating Dawson Santana, who previously walked. However, the Aztecs were unable maintain the momentum, as Talor Grubbs took the mound at this juncture and recorded a pair of strikeouts sandwiched around a flyout.

New Mexico gave itself some insurance courtesy of Trujillo’s three-run homer in the bottom of the frame after Anthony Diaz led off with a single and Ashby reached on an error at second.

Grubbs soon retired the side in the ninth to earn third save of the season, preserving the victory for the Lobos’ third pitcher of the day, Josh Barnhouse (2-3), who recorded the final two outs in the seventh to earn credit for the win.

Like UNM, the Aztecs also employed five pitchers on the day, with Jake Frohn (0-3) absorbing the loss after allowing the four go-ahead runs in the seventh. Alec Belardes started for the Scarlet and Black, yielding five runs on eight hits and one walk with five strikeouts in five-plus innings before giving way to Frohn, who tossed 1 1/3 innings. Issac Araiza (0.2 IP), Alito McBean (0.1 IP) and Evan Miranda (0.1) also took the hill for the Aztecs.

Along with Farrell’s and Peterson’s production, Marnell also finished with two hits in the loss for SDSU. Not to be outdone, Zach Justice led off the second with his fourth home run of the year, a towering shot to left on a 2-0 pitch from Lobo starter Diego Alvarez (5.0 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 2 K).

However, Garcia led off the bottom of the inning with a double and advanced on a wild pitch before crossing the plate on Carris’ RBI groundout. Garcia also contributed a run-scoring double in the fourth that put UNM in front, 2-1.

Carris led all players with four RBIs, while Garcia collected a game-high four hits in the victory.

San Diego State returns home to face crosstown adversary UC San Diego on Tuesday, April 14 in a non-conference game at Tony Gwynn Stadium. First pitch is slated for 6 p.m. PT.