Hit parade: Lobo baseball rolls over Washington State 24-14

It’s fair to say the hits just kept on coming Saturday at Santa Ana Star Field.

Such would also be an understatement.

Consider: visiting Washington State racked up 14 runs on 16 hits in seven innings — and it wasn’t nearly enough. Host New Mexico racked up 20 hits, including eight doubles, and rolled to a 24-14 victory shortened by the 10-run mercy rule.

Ethan Ott homered and doubled off the top of the fence to pace UNM’s torrid offense. Ott finished 2-for-3, walked three times, scored five runs and drove in four as the Lobos (19-15, 8-6 Mountain West) won their third straight game and improved to 15-4 at home.

UNM invoked the mercy rule for a second time in three games this week and will shoot for a three-game sweep of the Cougars (13-21, 6-8) on Sunday.

“It’s definitely nice having fans behind us, supporting us, and it’s always fun playing in our own back yard,” Ott said of the Lobos’ dominance at Santa Ana Star Field. “It’s also critical for us to win home series in the Mountain West, so we’re trying to make the most of it when we’re here.”

Ott’s ninth home run of the year, a two-run shot in the first inning, was the Lobos’ only long ball of the game. But UNM’s first baseman got plenty of hitting help from his teammates. Akili Carris, Josh McAlister and Caleb Herd equaled Ott’s production with four RBIs apiece.

UNM’s 24 runs and eight doubles were season highs and all 11 Lobos who batted in the game reached base at least once. Washington State led 5-2 after three innings, but New Mexico scored 11 in the fourth to take control.

“Coming to the ballpark knowing you’ll probably need 10 to 15 runs to win is very difficult,” UNM coach Tod Brown said, “but these guys are doing it. We gave Washington State way too many runs with our defense but our hitters had a day. A lot of good at-bats.”

Saturday’s game officially turned into a slugfest in the bottom of the fourth inning. Carris, Tye Wood, Ott and McAlister doubled as the Lobos sent 15 batters to the plate and rolled up 11 runs on nine hits to grab a 13-5 lead. Wood, Will Asby and Jordy Oriach finished with three hits apiece for the Lobos.

“We talked this week about bringing more energy to the ballpark,” Ott said. “Starting against (Texas) Tech, I feel like our energy has been good and our hitters have gotten hot. Hopefully, we can keep it going.”

Will Cresswell went 3-for-5 with a homer and seven RBIs for the Cougars, who scored four runs apiece in the sixth and seventh innings, trying to avoid a mercy rule ending. But UNM answered with five runs in the sixth and ended things when Khalil Walker drew a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the seventh.

The Lobos and Cougars conclude their three-game series Sunday at noon.