by Steven Fernandez
Daily Lobo
Just because Arizona is the defending national champion doesn't mean the Lobos are intimidated by the Wildcats.
The UNM softball team will take on No. 5 Arizona this weekend in Tucson, Ariz., in a three-game series.
The Lobos are looking forward to the series with last year's national titleholders, head coach Ty Singleton said.
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"It'll be exciting," he said. "It's one of those things where we're going to have to bring our best to have a shot to beat them. That's what we want to go do."
UNM has already played against four nationally ranked teams this season, including a 13-1 beating of No. 3 UCLA on Feb. 10.
The win over the Bruins could help the Lobos relax this weekend, leadoff hitter and center fielder Samantha Hughes said.
"I just try to remember how I felt in that game and how relaxed I was," she said. "It makes everything easier when you can go back to that kind of moment."
In that game, Hughes hit her first home run of the season to help lead UNM to victory. After starting 0-3, it was the first win of the season for the Lobos under first-year head coach Singleton.
UNM is now 7-10 overall and won two out of three games in a series against Utah Valley State last weekend. Pitcher Kelly Ninemire picked up both Lobo wins in that series, pitching 12 2/3 scoreless innings, while striking out 12 and giving up zero walks.
Ninemire also got the victory against UCLA, giving up one run and two hits in five innings.
Her pitching performance, coupled with the overall team effort in the upset over the Bruins, can do a lot for the Lobos' mentality this weekend, Ninemire said.
"The UCLA game was really good for us," she said. "As a team, pitching was good, defense was good, offense was good, and hopefully, we can come out like that this weekend."
For her efforts against Utah Valley State last weekend, Ninemire was named Mountain West Conference Softball Pitcher of the Week.
Ninemire said last weekend's performance will give her momentum heading into the series against the Wildcats.
"It was a good outing," she said. "Hopefully, I can build on that."
The Lobos have a long history with Arizona, dating back to UNM's first season in 1978. The Wildcats have dominated the all-time series, holding a 24-8 record.
The Lobos' last win over Arizona came in 1990. The Wildcats have won seven national titles since 1980 and are 21-7 this season.
Singleton said this year's team shouldn't worry about the Lobos' history with Arizona.
"My hope is that they are going into it just thinking that this is a ballgame," he said. "Hopefully, the past isn't an issue."
After last weekend's series win, the Lobos have won five of their last eight games. A win against an elite team like Arizona could provide a spark for the Lobos, Singleton said.
"Anytime you get a win in Tucson, it's always a big win," he said. "It'll do nothing but build our confidence."
Softball at
Arizona
Today, 7 p.m.
Tucson, Ariz.
