username: pass:

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL SCOREBOARD
Untitled Document
FIND US ON
MtnIcon_FacebookColor
MtnIcon_TwitterColor
MtnIcon_YoutubeColor

BB: New Mexico Sweeps SDSU In Double Header


Facebook
RSS
April 14, 2012
New Mexico Athletics

SAN DIEGO, Calif. - The University of New Mexico Lobos swept both games of a doubleheader against conference rivals San Diego State by the scores of 5-1 and 11-4 on Saturday afternoon. The two wins improved UNM's conference record to 9-2 and 17-17 overall. This is the first time the Lobos have been at a .500 winning percentage since starting off 1-1.

The Lobos pitching staff led the way both games as starters Austin House and Josh Walker received the wins.

"House and Walker were outstanding today," UNM head coach Ray Birmingham said.

House (3-3) was spectacular again for the Lobos throwing a complete-game gem in game one. He allowed seven hits, one earned run, and struck out seven. He helped the Lobos get the win even though the offense was limited to only four hits.

House has transformed into the ace the Lobos were hoping he would be before the season started. He has back-to-back complete games and has now pitched at least six innings in seven of his nine starts this season. This includes a rain-shortened start against Fresno St. that lasted only three innings.

He has been particularly tough against Mountain West opponents as he is now 3-0 in four conference starts this season. He has gone 31 innings, given up 18 hits, only five of which were for extra bases, four earned runs for an incredible 1.16 ERA, and punched out 27 batters.

Mitchell Garver , House's battery-mate and high-school teammate at La Cueva High in Albuquerque, had an excellent day for the Lobos as well, going four for nine with three runs scored and five RBIs over the two games.

In game one the Lobos were held hitless for three and one-third innings by Aztec pitcher Michael Cederoth. However, freshman Ryan Padilla drew a walk that brought up Garver, who crushed a two-run homer to left field to end the no-hit bid and give the Lobos a 2-1 lead.

Garver added an RBI groundout in the sixth inning that plated Ben Woodchick. The Lobos also added two runs in the eighth on an RBI triple by DJ Peterson and an RBI single by Padilla.

In game two Walker (4-2), a native of Rio-Rancho, N.M.,  threw six innings, struck out five, allowed eight hits and two earned runs. Alexis Garza finished the game, giving up two runs over his three innings to collect the first save of his career.

Walker was backed by a big six-run third inning. With the Lobos up 2-1, Peterson and Padilla got the inning started by hitting back-to-back one-out doubles. Garver followed that with a single that sent Padilla to third. The next batter, Trey Porras, reached on a fielding error by Aztec SS Matt Munoz that allowed Padilla to score and advanced Garver to second.

San Diego State's pitcher, Travis Pitcher, then threw two straight wild pitches to walk Alex Allbritton and allow Garver to score. The Aztec's then brought in reliever Ethan Williams who also had trouble throwing strikes. He walked the first batter he faced, Kyle Stiner, to load the bases. Then he plunked Erik Suarez to force home Porras. Josh Melendez added to the Aztec's woes by hitting an RBI single to right field. Pinch hitter Jacob Nelson capped off the inning by recording his first RBI of the season on a sacrifice fly that knocked home Stiner.

 The Lobos added a run in each of the next three innings and ended the game with 11 runs scored on twelve hits.

On the day several Lobos hit the ball well. Padilla went four for eight with three runs scored, three RBIs, and his second-career home run in game two. Peterson went three for nine with two runs scored and two RBIs.

"Garver and Padilla were very special," Birmingham said. "It was a La Cueva and Rio Rancho day in San Diego."

The sweep guarantees the Lobos their sixth-straight weekend series win, tied for the most-consecutive weekend series wins under Birmingham. The team will try to move its record above .500 for the first time this season when the teams face off in the series finale on Sunday at 2 p.m. (MT). Fans can watch the game live on The Mtn. Senior Gera Sanchez, a native of Las Cruces, N.M., will get the start for the Lobos.

"(Sunday) will be a Las Cruces day in San Diego," Birmingham said. "New Mexico kids are playing well."
NOW PLAYING
COMING UP NEXT
ALL TIMES MOUNTAIN
Key in your zip code and find out which service providers in your area carry The Mtn.
Channel:
The Mtn. is available nationwide on DIRECTV channel 616. Check with DIRECTV to find out if your programming package includes The Mtn.
Submit your questions to The Mtn.'s expert analysts and have them answered on-air at halftime or during Post Game Live.  CLICK HERE