Mike Brownstein didn't resort to pulling out a bag of excuses.
The UNM baseball team's second baseman did his best to make sense of the way the Lobos asphyxiated themselves down the stretch, causing the Lobos to lose out on a trip to an NCAA Regional.
UNM's postseason aspirations were wiped out by consecutive losses in the Mountain West Conference Tournament, coupled with Utah becoming the first No. 6 seed to win the MWC Tournament and receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
"It's a sour taste in my mouth - how we finished," said Brownstein, whose senior season ended abruptly. "It's no fun going two-and-out, especially when we're hoping to make a Regional. To come up short like that - it hurts."
But Brownstein didn't rationalize what happened, no matter how many times he was baited to do so.
Was it the fact that 12 of the UNM baseball team's last 15 regular-season games were on the road?
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"It takes a toll on you because you're living in a hotel all week, and that's no fun," Brownstein said. "That's no excuse. We're not going to use that as an excuse."
Losing eight of their final 15 games shouldn't have had an effect on the way UNM played in the MWC Tournament, he said.
"It wasn't one point in the season," Brownstein said. "We began to lose games we needed to win. When that happens, you have to take a step back and say, 'We got to re-group.' Birmingham tried to, but we didn't respond like we needed to."
Perhaps overconfidence?
Brownstein wasn't buying it.
"We should be confident," he said. "Sometimes it might look a little bit cocky, but we do have talent on that team. We really should've done better than we did."
What is it, then?
"We didn't win when we had to," said Brownstein, alluding to the only answer that might suffice.
Saying the Lobos folded might be a bit harsh, but that's basically what Brownstein said happened.
"If we bring our A-game, our best ability, we have a really good shot at winning," he said. "Sometimes we just didn't do that. That's why we're sitting at home watching."
Now, 37-20 is just a really good losing season. Every exciting win this year is practically meaningless. An early season sweep over then-No. 3 Texas A&M - insignificant. Taking two of three games at Isotopes Park from San Diego State - hollow.
Though Brownstein was honored as the Mountain West Player of the Year, the way the Lobos fizzled was vinegary. Even getting All-American accolades at the conclusion of the season can't temper the team's loss, he said.
"You know that's something that you have been waiting for, especially that last two years here," Brownstein said about an appearance in the NCAA Tournament. "You know that's the main goal of the season."
Will UNM accomplish that next year after subsequently losing 10 of its seniors, or will they face-plant again?
"That might happen, but I don't think they're going to take a step back," Brownstein said. "They won't. They'll be right there in the hunt next year."
But Brownstein won't be. If it's any consolation, he will be gunning to be selected in the upcoming MLB Draft, which starts June 9.
"I'm not going to be one of the top prospects," he said. "I'm going to really have to prove myself. It's not going to be (a) quick (journey). I'm not in a rush, so I'll just enjoy it while I have it."
