What a turnaround.
Last year, after the Lobo baseball team limped out to a 28-30 overall record and a 12-12 Mountain West Conference mark under former head coach Rich Alday, Athletics Director Paul Krebs decided to make a change.
His selection was a reliable and proven winner from New Mexico Junior College - Ray Birmingham.
Since assuming managerial duties in 2007, Birmingham has coached the Lobos to a 27-16 record. The Lobos are tied with TCU at 11-4 in conference.
Birmingham said the biggest change from last year has been expectations, work ethic and attitude.
And with No. 11 UC-Irvine coming into town for a three-game series starting Friday, his expectations are the same - a UNM victory.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
"They're another team with top-shelf ranking," Birmingham said. "But Lobo baseball is intense no matter who they play, whether it be William and Mary or whoever."
Keys to the Game
It would probably benefit the Lobos to get off to a good start offensively. In 2007-08, when the Lobos have 10 or more hits, they are 24-3. Less than 10 hits, the Lobos' record drops off to 3-11.
The Lobos should have quite a challenge ahead of them against UC-Irvine's Scott Gorgen, who struck out 14 against UC-Riverside. Gorgen's opponents are batting an average of .163 this season.
After facing No. 23 Arizona earlier this season, Birmingham said the Lobos are accustomed to facing quality pitchers.
"(Gorgen's) good," he said. "But the University of Arizona's pitching staff is better than some pro teams."
The Lobos are coming off two straight losses to Arizona.
Still, Lobo utility player Dane Hamilton said the Lobos aren't looking back.
"We're really not thinking about the losses," he said. "We're just trying to focus on what we have coming up this weekend."
Look for UNM to bat well come Friday. They rank atop the MWC in slugging percentage at .468 and runs scored with 324.
For the Lobos to pull out the win, Birmingham said the pitching has to pick up.
"Most of our losses are because of pitching," he said. "You know, in baseball, good pitching beats good hitting."
At the same time, Birmingham said the Lobos have been victims to some bad breaks.
"It's just the luck of the draw," he said. "With as many games as we've had bases loaded and a streamer hit right at somebody. So, I think if everybody goes to church, maybe some of those line drives will find the hole somewhere."
USA Today/ESPN Top 25
In its last release on April 21, the Lobos received votes in the Coaches Poll. That makes three times this season.
Birmingham said if the Lobos can get a couple of wins against UC-Irvine, they should be able to break into the polls.
"If we kick butt from here on out, you might see the Lobos in the top 25," he said. "In a year where I just got here, it's a tribute to these kids. These kids are really getting after it."
