Lobo Baseball vs Nevada Series Preview

by Zach

The Lobos (32-18, 17-7) look to get back on track after dropping the last two weekend series. This will be the last home series for the Lobos this season, but not the last games played at Santa Ana Star Field, as it will play host for the Mountain West Conference Tournament in two weeks. The Lobos are still in first place in the Mountain West, but at this point will likely have to win the conference tournament to make the NCAA Tournament. This weekend, the Lobos will host third place Nevada (28-20, 16-8) in a key matchup for seeding for the MW Tournament. If the Lobos are able to sweep the series, they will most likely win the Regular Season Title, but if they don’t, next weekend’s games become even more important.

Scattered Thoughts:

  • Expect the Lobos to go back to their normal rotation this weekend, after Carson Schneider was given rest this past weekend. While it is possible that we could see Tyler Stevens or Colton Thomson get rest this weekend, I would think that with the magnitude of this series, we will see the Lobos best arms.
  • The Lobos need to get Chris DeVito healthy for the last few weeks of the season. If he is able to catch, it gives Coach Birmingham more options with the lineup. I think we will see DeVito at the DH position for the most part down the stretch, but maybe see him back behind the plate in the postseason.
  • I expect that we will see more of Michael Eaton down the stretch, now that he is healthy. He would see time at second and possibly the DH sport if DeVito catches or plays first base. Jared Holley could end up playing some shortstop and third base.
  • Carl Stajduhar has been outstanding in conference play this season, with a slash line of .446/.504/.782 with 9 doubles, 2 triples and 7 homeruns. On top of that, he has 33 RBI in 24 conference games so far.
  • The Lobos had won the first 7 conference series this season, but dropped 2 of 3 against UNLV last weekend to end the extremely impressive streak.
  • Fresno State plays their last conference series this season at UNLV this weekend. If UNLV and UNM win their series this weekend, the Lobos could have the #1 seed pretty much locked up heading into the last series of the season.

Nevada Wolf Pack:

Here is a look at our preview of the Wolf Pack in the first series, and our recap of the first series between the two teams.

Since the two teams played the first time, the Wolf Pack has started to play great baseball. They’ve won their last ten games, including winning 8 of their last 9 conference games. The Wolf Pack boast a good lineup that will put the ball in play, but lack the power bats that the Lobos have. The Wolf Pack have five regulars that are hitting over .300, with Cole Krzmarzick (.384/.442/.486) and TJ Friedl (.382/.481/.559) leading the way for the Wolf Pack offensive attack. It will be important for the Lobo pitchers to keep their free passes to a minimum, since the Wolf Pack only have 15 homeruns this season.

The Wolf Pack starting pitching got a shot in the arm this past weekend when Sam Held pitched a complete game in his second start of the season. The most consistent starter for the Wolf Pack weekend rotation is Christian Stolo (3-5, 4.75 ERA), but he is very hittable and could run into problems against this Lobos lineup. Opponents have hit .287 this season off of Stolo and he has allowed 36 extra base hits including 10 homeruns. Last weekend Stolo started Friday night, followed by Held (2-0, 3.55 ERA) and Trenton Brooks (4-5, 5.49 ERA). I would expect Held to get another start this weekend after his great start last weekend. One thing that the Wolf Pack pitching staff has done this season is limiting walks. On the season, the Wolf Pack have issued 133 walks in 425 2/3 innings of work.

Conference Standings:

  1. UNM 17-7
  2. FSU 19-8
  3. Nevada 16-8
  4. UNLV 12-12
  5. AFA 9-13
  6. SDSU 6-16
  7. SJSU 6-21

AFA and SDSU will complete a suspended game this weekend, then play four more games this weekend. While it won’t affect who will win the conference regular season title, it could shuffle around the seeding for the tournament.

Series Prediction:

I really like the Lobos’ chances this weekend. In my opinion, the long road trip at the end of the school year hurt the Lobos, and having DeVito at less than 100% didn’t help. The team is getting healthier and school is out, which means the Lobos will be able to focus on baseball from here on out. I put the odds of the Lobos winning the series at 70% with a 25% chance of sweeping the series.

Game Times:

Since the NMAA State Tournament is taking place this weekend at Santa Ana Star Field, the Lobos will have a change in game time for the game on Saturday. Instead of playing the normal 2 PM game, it will be played at 6 PM. Friday and Sunday’s game times will be at their normal times: at 6 PM on Friday and 1 PM on Sunday.

Game Info:

Who: New Mexico Lobos (32-18, 17-7) VS. Nevada Wolf Pack (28-20, 16-8)

Where: Santa Ana Star Field, Albuquerque New Mexico

When: Friday May 13th 6 PM, Saturday May 14th 6 PM, Sunday May 15th 1 PM

Stream: MW Network

Radio: ESPN 101.7 The Team (Robert Portnoy on the Call)