The UNM softball team hopes the second part of its season will be better than the first as the Lobos start conference play this weekend.
UNM finished up a rough pre-conference schedule last week and looks to take out its frustrations in Mountain West Conference play when the Lobos take on Colorado State University Saturday in a doubleheader at Lobo Field.
"Conference play is the start of a second season," UNM head coach Susan Craig said. "We are going to take what we have learned during the non-conference games and take them into Saturday."
The Lobos head into conference play with a dismal 6-17-1 record, losing all seven of their games against ranked opponents.
Many of the games have ended in blowout fashion, with UNM scoring 66 runs while giving up 120 in 24 games.
Craig said that although the team is down mentally after the bad start, they have learned a lot from facing such stiff competition.
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"That's the idea of agreeing to play a tough schedule, it teaches us a lot about how to be a good team," she said. "It emphasizes certain aspects of what we need to work on."
She added that the players have gained experience in all three phases of the game - offense, defense and pitching.
"We learned a lot about hitting the ball and pitch selection," Craig said. "Pitchers know now that they can't make a mistake and not pay for it. And the defensive players have learned that they need to be aware and prepared at all times."
The Lobos will need to be better equipped in the conference than they were during the pre-conference schedule.
UNM had a .234 batting average and a 4.29 ERA. After not having lost more than three games in a row last season, the Lobos are now on a four-game losing streak for the third time this season.
"Everybody wants a second chance; everybody has a different outlook," Craig said. "It's a new season; the batting averages are the same and the pitcher's (ERA) is zero."
UNM was picked to finish fourth in the conference during the preseason.
But they have a chance to get on the winning track early against the Rams (13-16). The Lobos beat CSU three-of-five games last season, all at home.
But Colorado State is a different team, having lost a lot of players to graduation last season.
The youth-laden team has eight freshman and only two seniors.
The Rams have played well in their non-conference schedule, hitting .263 and have allowed only 2.01 runs per game.
Craig said the Lobos need to take advantage of playing at home and CSU's inexperience.
"It's always important to get a win early," she said. "We have an emphasis about protecting our home turf. We're looking forward to getting started."
Saturday's first game starts at 1 p.m.
