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After losing to then-No. 1 Oklahoma and No. 3 Arizona State earlier this season, the New Mexico softball team’s task of playing No. 10 UCLA this weekend does not seem that daunting.
The Lobos (9-9) will travel to San Diego, Calif., to face UCLA and four other opponents in the 2013 San Diego Classic today, Saturday and Sunday.
The Bruins head into the invitation with a 13-2 record, having lost only to No. 5 Texas A&M (18-0) and Cal State Fullerton (6-9). UCLA also boasts a strong offensive attack with a .317 batting average, 6.6 runs per game average and 31 home runs.
“After the early part of our schedule, we’re okay playing ranked teams,” said UNM head coach Erica Beach. “They have a tough offensive lineup so we’re going to have to pitch well. We respect that, but we’re going to play hard no matter who steps on the field with us.”
Junior infielder Chelsea Anaya will head west with her first career Mountain West Player of the Week award for her efforts last week. Anaya led UNM to a 4-1 record and secured at least one hit and one RBI during that span.
“It’s been fun for her to get some recognition,” Beach said. “She has been consistent for us for a long time, but players that have bigger numbers have overshadowed her. She is one of our best players.”
Anaya grew up in Pacoima, Calif., 20 miles away from UCLA’s Easton Stadium. She said she looks forward to facing her childhood team.
“It’s really exciting and surreal to know that I get to play the team that I watched growing up,” Anaya said. “We know they are good competition, but we look forward to showing them what we are made of.”
This weekend the Lobos will attempt to surpass the .500 mark for the first time this season. Today, UNM battles Utah State (0-15) at 3 p.m. and co-hosts San Diego (6-6) at 8 p.m.
On Saturday, New Mexico will play former conference opponent Brigham Young University (5-10) at 10 a.m. and Long Beach State (7-6) at 12:30 p.m. The Lobos will finish off the invite with UCLA on Sunday at 12:30 p.m.
Beach said the squad must maintain its focus on one game at a time.
“We have some good competition,” she said. “I know everyone is focusing on UCLA, but we have a lot of tough games before we get to that one. We can’t overlook anyone.”
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New Mexico has garnered a 9-2 record the last 11 games, with the last four wins coming on the road. UNM defeated Auburn last Saturday 3-1 and pulled out a 2-1 victory over Kansas on Sunday in the Grand Islander Classic.
Beach said she attributes the strong run to the team’s discovering its identity.
“I absolutely think the team now understands how they are going to win ball games,” she said. “We are moving in the right direction at the right pace and I’m optimistic as to what will happen down the road.”
