Defense helps UNM keep lead in MWC

The University of New Mexico baseball team cleared .500 on Friday for the first time all season.

The Lobos needed a little defensive magic to get there.

Boosted by an unusual triple play, UNM came from behind to edge San Diego State 7-5 at Lobo Field. The Lobos (13-12, 6-2 MWC) retained first place in the Mountain West Conference standings and will attempt to complete a three-game series sweep today against the Aztecs (12-14, 4-4).

	Today San Diego State at UNM, Lobo Field, 1 p.m.

Freshman Jared Holley’s two-run single capped a three-run seventh inning that gave New Mexico the lead Friday. The Lobos had trailed 3-0, 4-3 and 5-4 prior to their half of the seventh.

It was a fitting comeback win for UNM, which started 2-6 this season and has been trying to right the ship since.

“It feels really good to finally have a winning record,” Holley said. “We kind of struggled to put things together, but we’re playing Lobo baseball now. At least that’s what everyone tells me.”

UNM dominated Thursday’s series opener 14-3 but appeared to be in trouble early in Friday’s game. San Diego State plated three runs in the top of the third inning and had runners at first and third with no outs against Lobo starter A.J. Carman.

Fortunes turned in a hurry.

With Aztec base runner Ryan Muno breaking from first, Jake Romanski hit a line drive up the middle. The ball glanced off Carman’s sleeve and carried to Lobos second baseman Sam Haggerty, who caught it on the fly.

Haggerty then threw to third base to double up SDSU’s Tim Zier, who had broken for home. Alex Allbritton’s return throw to first base beat Muno back to the bag and completed the triple play.

“(Muno) was stealing, and I went to second for coverage,” Haggerty said. “After the ball hit Carman, it just came right to me. I think that’s my first triple play.”

Lobo coach Ray Birmingham has seen more than a few over the years but knew Friday’s was significant.

“It was the difference in the ballgame,” he said.

Having escaped a jam, UNM quickly evened the score in the bottom of the third. Haggerty smacked an RBI triple to the right-field corner, and run-scoring singles by Mitch Garver and Ryan Padilla made it 3-3.

Garver’s hit extended his hitting streak to 24 games.

The Aztecs twice regained the lead, the last time at 5-4 on Zier’s RBI ground-rule double in the top of the seventh.

UNM answered in the bottom of the inning, when Alex Real doubled and a pair of walks loaded the bases. Allbritton’s single off the glove of first baseman Muno plated Real to make it 5-5. Holley then lined reliever Justin Hepner’s first pitch to right-center to score two runs.

“I’d been struggling,” Holley said, “so it felt good to help my team.”

The rally made a winner of reliever Gabe Aguilar (3-2), who allowed one run in 1â…” innings of work.

Josh Walker came on to get the final five outs and record his fourth save.

Real finished 3-for-3 with a pair of walks to pace UNM, which outhit SDSU 11-8. Zier finished 2-for-4 with three RBIs for the Aztecs.

NOTES: Infielder D.J. Peterson sat out Friday’s game after injuring a hamstring while sliding into second base Thursday. Peterson, who leads UNM in hitting, home runs and RBIs, is considered day to day, Birmingham said. Outfielder John Pustay (illness) also missed Friday’s game.
— This article appeared on page D1 of the Albuquerque Journal