New Mexico was able to salvage a Game 1 loss by taking the next two along with the series against San Jose State last weekend in California.
Though the 10-3 scoreboard in the rubber match of the three-game stand indicated a blowout, the Lobo offense didn’t really get going until the late stages of Sunday afternoon’s ballgame.
UNM ace Colton Thomson worked through eight innings on the day, allowing three runs - two earned - on 11 hits, while fanning three Spartans in 102 pitches.
The lefty was surely wondering when the Lobo offense would put together a big frame, but after six innings, his team still trailed 3-2.
Jared Holley got things going for New Mexico (26-11,14-4 MW) by hitting a two-run shot to left field, scoring Luis Gonzalez in the top of the second inning.
That 2-1 lead wouldn’t hold as Thomson gave up a run in the bottom of the fifth and sixth inning to give the Spartans a 3-2 advantage.
Dalton Bowers answered the call in the top of the seventh inning with a two-out double to score Jared Mang that evened things up 3-3. The shortstop's heroics didn’t end there after blasting a three-run shot in the eighth inning to open up the UNM hit parade in the five-run top of the frame.
After a scoreless bottom half of the eighth, Carl Stajduhar provided some more insurance for UNM with his solo homer to left field. The sophomore third-baseman collected four hits on five plate appearances in the final contest of the series.
The cleanup hitter who resides at the hot corner received league attention the past week with his performance at the plate – 9 for 21 with a homer and a double.
The sophomore is currently riding an eight game hit-streak, and it is the second time in the 2016 campaign he has garnered the award. It's the second week in a row that the Mountain West Player of the Week award has fallen into the hands of a Lobo. Junior Chris DeVito won the award the week prior.
While the Lobos currently reside at the top of the conference, a big test will come storming into town.
No. 7 Texas Tech will pay a two-game visit to Santa Ana Star Field on Tuesday and Wednesday night. The Raiders are currently cruising on a nine game winning-streak.
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In their only prior meeting this season, Texas Tech took down UNM 14-10 in Lubbock, Texas.
First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Tuesday night.
Liam Cary-Eaves is the sports editor for the Daily Lobo. He primarily covers volleyball, women’s basketball and baseball. He can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @Liam_CE.
