If all goes well, by the end of softball season, Lindsey Elcess could be UNM softball's all-time home run leader.
Yet, with that big of a feat at stake, Elcess has managed to fly under the radar, steadily building a noteworthy résumé.
That's not to say her accomplishments have gone unnoticed.
Head coach Ty Singleton said he understands how important Elcess has been to UNM's softball team.
"She has done a fantastic job at the plate," he said. "All I can say is give her credit and praise. On the year, she had been our most steady hitter."
Quietly, she has had one of the best individual seasons in Lobo history, compiling nine home runs, eight doubles and batting .337. In her four years at UNM, Elcess has 27 home runs. She tops the charts in overall batting average and slugging percentage, and she is third in RBIs with 113.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
But instead of basking in the limelight that has escaped her for so long, egoless Elcess remains humble, saying it's an honor to be mentioned among UNM's best.
"It's a big compliment," she said. "I don't consider myself that. I just go out here and do what I love - play."
Now, with softball season coming to a close, Elcess looks to cement her name among UNM's elite athletes by setting the mark for most home runs ever.
"I'm bitter," she said. "I should be closer. But hopefully, I can hit 10 home runs in the next 12 games."
The mark is 36, set by Kathy Moore.
Still, even Elcess remembers getting off to a shaky start.
Entering her freshman year with the Lobos, before she was breaking records, Elcess was breaking bones.
"Coming into college, I had a broken foot," she said. "I had surgery, and coming back was really hard for me."
Walking boot and all, the bones mended in time for Elcess to compete her freshman year.
Setting the tone for what became a strong four years at UNM, Elcess got out to a fast start, leading the team in home runs on her way to Mountain West Conference Player of the Week honors in April 2005.
However, it was all to Elcess' surprise.
"Playing at the D-I level is different than playing high school ball or club ball," she said. "Just adapting to the level of play - it wasn't intimidating but just playing against the unknown."
In addition to being consistent from the plate, this year Elcess has been called upon to be a leader, Singleton said.
"I don't think, if she had a choice, it would be her first choice," he said. "But here she is, as a senior, picking up freshmen and taking them to the dorms or practice."
Singleton said Elcess is an amenity to the team.
"Everybody enjoys being around Lindsey," he said. "She's very experienced, and she is someone younger players can learn from. Having the type of leadership and experience a senior can bring to a freshman is always nice."
While Elcess has accepted the role, she said she prefers to show leadership in other ways.
"I try to lead by example," she said. "I think that tends to stick out more than words."
As long as Elcess' bat keeps close contact with opponents' pitches, she won't have to say much, allowing her game to speak for itself.
