After a weekend series and a one-day stay in Lubbock, Texas, Lobo baseball comes back to Isotopes Park to swing against in-state rival New Mexico State.
Coach Rich Alday said the rivalry means more in UNM's other sports.
"The rivalry is not that big," he said. "If we were in the same conference, it might be. It is really important to win the state."
Senior catcher Jeff Grady, however, said he is looking forward to the weekend series against NMSU.
"Every series against State is important," he said. "It always has been a good rivalry."
Grady expects nothing less than a sweep in this series.
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"Our expectations are high," he said. "We are going to get prepared, and our expectations are to sweep."
The Lobos come into the game after losses to 12th-ranked Arizona and 25th-ranked Texas Tech.
"I don't think that it's that big of a deal," Alday said. "I think we need to win. I think that we need to do some things as far as the team goes."
Alday said the team needs to improve on pitching and defense.
Improved pitching will be vital. Lobo pitchers are 0-4 this season and allowed an average of 14 runs per game in their first four games.
"I expect them to come out and play, and we're going to do the same," starting pitcher Karsten Gaarder said.
Gaarder is 0-1 with a 9.53 ERA so far this season.
"I don't think it's pressure," he said. "I look at it as an opportunity and can't wait to get my start."
A relatively young UNM team will be introduced to the rivalry.
Freshman Jordan Pacheco, who graduated from La Cueva High School, said he is ready for the opportunity.
"I can't wait to get out on the field and play with these guys," he said. "We're young, but we're experienced."
Pacheco grew up with the UNM-NMSU rivalry.
"I've been a Lobo my entire life, but my dad is an Aggie, and my mom is a Lobo," he said. "We played that rivalry in the household, but this time it will be different."
The Lobos lead the all-time series 136-68. The Lobos last swept the series in Albuquerque in 1987.
Alday is 18-11 at home all-time against the Aggies.
The weather could play a part in the series, too. With a 70 percent chance of rain Saturday, the Lobos' night game might be moved to be a part of a doubleheader on either Saturday or Sunday.
