Duane Continues His Streak to Lead a New Mexico Sweep

Having scored just 15 runs in its six Western Athletic Conference losses this season, the last pitcher San Diego State wanted to see Monday night was New Mexico right-hander Dean Duane.

Duane, who entered the game with an 11-0 record and 2.52 earned-run average, was leading the nation in wins and had set a school record for most consecutive victories.

He didn’t do much to hurt his lofty statistics against the Aztecs.

Duane threw a six-hitter, as the 20th-ranked Lobos beat SDSU, 4-1, in the seven-inning first game of a WAC doubleheader at Smith Field. Duane improves his record to 12-0.

In the second game, New Mexico defeated SDSU, 2-1, in 10 innings.

New Mexico first baseman John Snyder had a two-run homer and a double in the opener. The conference-leading Lobos (8-2, 36-9) had 12 hits against Aztec starter and loser Scott Lawrence (3-1).

Meanwhile, SDSU’s lack of production continued. The scarcity of runs is the main reason the Aztecs are 3-7 in the WAC.

“We’re stranding a lot of runners,” said Aztec second baseman Kirk Hansell. “Things aren’t bouncing our way. I think we’re bound to break out of it and go on a tear.”

That tear wasn’t to happen against Duane. Hansell’s one-out double in the fifth inning gave SDSU its only run. San Diego State had an opportunity to it in the sixth but came away empty-handed.

Left fielder Steve Hokama led off with a walk. Chris Gywnn then hit a fly ball to deep left center field, which was dropped by Steve Sparks. But Sparks recovered and threw to second base to force Hokama.

Mike Grace singled to right center, putting runners on first and second with one out.

“I was thinking I was in trouble,” said Duane. “I didn’t want to get (taken) out of the game. I got tough and kicked myself in the head.”

Duane also pitched himself out of the inning. He struck out Scott Webb on a 2-2 pitch, then struck out pinch-hitter Rob Knowles.

“He (Duane) kept the ball down and threw strikes,” said Johnson. “He was throwing a split-fingered fast ball or sinker, and a lot of guys where beating the ball into the dirt. I did it three times.”

Duane said that he pushes out his middle and forefingers when throwing his fast ball, which makes the pitch sink.

“A lot of people think it’s a grease ball,” Duane said. “They’ve had umps check it.”

After Snyder’s two-run homer, New Mexico added another run on singles by Brian Hubbard, Jim Logan and Glenn Russell. Fregosi’s fielder’s choice in the seventh drove in New Mexico’s fourth run.

The Aztecs, who have been ranked as high as eighth this year, fell to 35-21-1 overall.

“Our spirit is getting knocked down,” Hansell said. “Usually, we’re still full of life in the last few innings of a game. We’re kinda dead.”