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For the first time in UNM’s history, the Lobo baseball team has been ranked in Baseball America’s preseason poll, coming in at No. 21.
But junior first baseman DJ Peterson, a preseason All-American, said the Lobos are ranked low given the amount of talent they have. Senior catcher Mitch Garver and sophomore outfielder Ryan Padilla were also named preseason All-Americans.
“We should be ranked a little bit higher — I think we should be top 10,” Peterson said. “I think we have a lot of high-profile names and a lot of big arms, and at the end of the season we’ll prove that. Our expectations are to go to Omaha. I think if we didn’t (have those expectations) we’d be cutting ourselves short.”
Omaha, Neb., hosts the final round of the NCAA tournament.
Head coach Ray Birmingham said he shares Peterson’s sentiments.
“DJ came to me and goes, ‘Coach, as the years goes on, 21 is going to be a slap to the face.’ That’s how strongly he feels about this program, and I agree with him,” he said. “We’re not shooting for anything but to be the last man standing one day.”
Senior Alex Allbritton, who was All-Mountain West first team last season, said the nation is finally showing respect to the Lobos.
“It’s somewhat of an honor, but at this point it really means nothing,” he said. “We appreciate the fact there are people who respect us and our talent.”
The Lobos lost nine players from last year’s MWC championship squad, including six pitchers. Birmingham said the biggest loss was Austin House, who was selected in the 14th round of the MLB Draft by the Oakland Athletics. House led last season’s squad with 111 2/3 innings pitched, three complete games, two shutouts and a 2.74 ERA, and he struck out 91 batters to earn All-Mountain West first team honors.
“Losing Austin was a big deal; if he had come back for his senior year, I think I’d be talking more smack,” Birmingham said. “We have good enough arms to get it done, but a proven veteran on Friday night is what we’re lacking.”
UNM’s top returning pitchers are junior Josh Walker and seniors Hobie McClain, Sam Wolff and Will Mathis. Birmingham said the Lobos are missing a true ace, but he thinks Wolff can be that guy.
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Last season, Wolff posted a 1-2 record, a 5.52 ERA and threw 24 strikes.
“If Sam Wolff could figure it out, I think he’s getting there,” Birmingham said. “He’s just a hair away from being there and if he could locate (throw the ball exactly where he intends), that’s the difference.”
Due to conference realignment, UNM lost bitter rival No. 14 TCU to the Big 12. In return, the Lobos get to battle Fresno State and Nevada. The Bulldogs are coming off consecutive WAC tournament championships and NCAA tournament appearances. The Wolf Pack earned a share of the WAC regular-season championship by finishing in a three-way tie with Sacramento State and New Mexico State.
“We lose TCU, one of the top-five teams in the country the last five years,” Birmingham said. “But we get Fresno State and Nevada, who are comparable, even-steven teams; it’s still a good solid league.”
