The Lobos welcome the San Diego State Aztecs to Isotopes Park this weekend for a three-game Mountain West matchup.
It's a return to conference play for UNM, which traveled to Las Cruces Wednesday and lost to NMSU 16-9.
In that game, the Lobos failed to come through with timely hitting. They held the lead for the first half, but were overtaken by the Aggies in the fifth inning when they fell behind 12-9. Scoring chances in the seventh and eighth innings were squandered by costly strikeouts.
Head coach Rich Alday said coming through when it counts has been the difference between the Lobo team that started the season 2-12-1, and the team that won three of its last four heading into the NMSU game.
"Against New Mexico State we didn't get the key base hits," Alday said. "Against Utah we did, and that has been the difference between games we win and games we lose."
UNM won its MWC opening series 2-1 last weekend against Utah. In their last four games, the Lobos batted .331 with 32 runs and 48 hits.
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Hitting the Aztecs won't be easy for Alday's squad because he said they have an up-and-down offense.
"We just don't know how they'll hit," he said.
But Alday said he's certain the Aztecs rely heavily on pitching and defense.
"It's up in the air as far as their offense goes," he said. "But we know they have really good pitching. Even if they aren't hitting well, they can win with their pitching and their defensive play."
Last weekend against the Air Force Academy, Aztec pitcher Scott Shoemaker struck out 12 batters over seven innings in a win. He'll start Friday's series opener.
And while the Aztecs' hitting may not be consistent, they've been on fire lately. First baseman Rielly Embrey was named National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association National Co-Hitter of the Week, as well as the Mountain West Conference Player of the Week for his performance against Air Force last weekend. Over the three games, Embrey hit .727 with a double, a home run and nine RBI. He reached base in 11 straight appearances.
UNM's sparkplug hitter has been center fielder Matt Young. He leads the team in batting (.351), hits (27) and runs (23). Over the last four games, Young has hit .500 and scored 11 runs.
Left fielder Garrick Haymore is also playing well. He leads the team with a .451 on-base percentage and hit .333 last week. Haymore is riding a five-game hitting streak.
San Diego State is coached by former Major League all-star Tony Gwynn.
The Lobos will play the Aztecs Friday and Saturday at 6 p.m. and Sunday at noon. Admission is free for UNM students with a Lobo ID.
