(Photo: Kimmy Davis/ WCSN)
After an exciting series victory over Pac-12 power Oregon State, the No. 7 Arizona State baseball team faces the New Mexico Lobos in an out-of-conference midweek matchup.
It would be extremely easy for the Sun Devils to look past this game with a three-game weekend road series against No. 15 Oregon on the horizon, and against many midweek foes, ASU would probably be able to get away with that.
But New Mexico is a different animal, boasting an 11-6 record that is not built on a mirage.
The Lobos passed their first challenge of the year, going 3-1 in an early-season tournament in Surprise. In that tournament, the Lobos beat Northwestern and went 2-0 against Oregon State.
New Mexico is coached by Ray Birmingham who is in his eighth season in Albuquerque. Birmingham has posted 3o-win seasons in all but one of his seasons and coached the Lobos to a share of the Mountain West title in 2014 with a 37-20-1 record. It was also the fourth straight year in which UNM has earned at least a share of the Mountain West regular season title.
Averaging just above six runs a game, the Lobo offense will test the ASU pitchers on Wednesday.
Cory Voss starts off the order, hitting .353 with 18 hits, four triples, and leads the team with a .431 on base percentage.
The main power threat for the Lobos is two-hitter Chris DeVito who leads the team with four home runs and 17 RBI.
Starting pitcher Toller Broadman anchors the Lobos’ pitching staff, recording four wins so far and posting an impressive 2.43 ERA.
In this midweek matchup, however, relief pitcher, turned starter Mike Gould will get the ball, with Tyler Stevens and Carson Schneider in long relief if needed.
New Mexico’s late-inning bullpen is as stout as it comes, as it has not spoiled a lead after six innings in 40 straight games. Jake Cole, Victor Sanchez and Alex Estrella, each of whom have appeared in at least seven games for UNM, are the anchors of this talented group.
First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. with Ryan Hingst taking the hill in what will be his second career start for the Sun Devils.
