The University of New Mexico Lobos travelled south Tuesday evening to face the New Mexico State University Aggies in the baseball edition of the famous “Battle of I-25” rivalry game. This matchup would tout the 11-13 Lobos against the 10-11 Aggies. With both teams on the cusp of winning records, this game would go on to have big implications for not only stat sheets, but for team pride. 

NM State would start freshman pitcher Cade Swenson to begin the game, but he would be far from the last pitcher to take the mound for the Aggies. The first inning would see one run being scored by the Lobos through six batters, while the Aggies would acquire one base hit, but no runs through four batters. The Lobos would quickly capitalize on the Aggies scoreless first inning with three RBI home run in the top the second inning. The Aggies would get on the board in the bottom of the second, but the score remained lob-sided, but not insurmountable at 4-1 for UNM. 

The onslaught of scoring would only grow for the UNM Lobos heading into the later innings. The Lobos would score an impressive six more runs in the top of the third inning thanks to their six base hits and a field error by the Aggies infield. The Aggies would again respond with a score, but the odds would continue to lean in favor of the Lobos, now leading by eight runs with a score of 10-2. 

The Bos’ would continue to run up the score with no regard for human life in the following innings. The Lobos racked up another nine unanswered runs from the fourth through the seventh and final inning. NM State had no answered for this high-powered offensive attack, forcing them into playing seven different pitchers throughout the duration, each of which allowing at least two hits. This huge victory for the Lobos brought the all-time record between these two on game closer to .500, with NMSU leading with 24 wins, but UNM close behind with 23. 

These Aggie players have their work cut out for them as the head into the remainder of the season. Three fielding errors, allowing 22 base hits, and giving 19 runs, all while only scoring two runs on five hits in not the plan that NM State had drawn up. The Aggies now fall to 10-12 on the season, two games shy of an even record.  

This Crimson squad will have a chance to redeem themselves on April 1 through 3, as they’ll head to Phoenix, Arizona to face the Grand Canyon University Lopes in a three-game Western Athletic Conference series. GCU boasts a 15-9 record on the season coming off a win over Sacramento State, but the Aggies will look to avenge their previous loss and put themselves back into the win column.