AP Sports Preview: New Mexico vs. Air Force in MWC Baseball Championship

MESA, Ariz. (Interstat) — The New Mexico Lobos (28-23-1) meet the Air Force Falcons (26-27) in the Mountain West Conference Baseball Championship on Saturday afternoon at Sloan Park.

New Mexico, the seed, lost 11-6 to San Diego State on Friday in its tournament opener. The Lobos fell behind early and could not recover despite a solid relief outing from Cristian Mogen, who struck out six in 3 1/3 innings but allowed three earned runs.

Mogen, a right-hander, has been inconsistent this season. He gave up six earned runs on seven hits in three innings against Air Force on May 1, though New Mexico won that game 9-7. In two other recent appearances, Mogen pitched six-plus innings with no hits allowed against Grand Canyon on May 8, surrendering two earned runs, and threw 3 1/3 hitless innings against San Diego State on Friday. He will likely be available in relief again Saturday.

Air Force enters the championship as the seed after losing 5-1 to Washington State on Friday. Pitcher Bowen Brantingham delivered 3 2/3 hitless innings with five strikeouts and no earned runs in that game. The right-hander also tossed two scoreless innings against San Jose State on April 26. However, he struggled against Oregon State on May 16, allowing three earned runs in 2 2/3 innings.

The Falcons took two of three from New Mexico in a regular-season series from May 1-3. Air Force won 8-4 and 11-1 before the Lobos salvaged a 9-7 victory. New Mexico has not beaten Air Force since that May 1 game.

New Mexico’s offense has been streaky. Luke Mansy went 3-for-4 with an RBI against San Diego State on Friday, and the Lobos scored 13 runs against Nevada on May 21. But they managed only one run in the May 2 loss to Air Force.

Air Force’s lineup has shown power, scoring 17 runs against UNLV on May 21, but it has been shut down by strong pitching, as in the 1-5 loss to Washington State.

The winner advances in the double-elimination tournament. First pitch is scheduled for early afternoon.