However, UNM softball’s head coach Erica Beach said the team is headed in the right direction after losing two transfer players and two seniors from last year’s squad.
“We’ve got some studs on this team, and I am really excited to see what they can do,” Beach said. “They’re our kids that are going to make the clutch plays and that are going to come through with those timely hits that we need.”
Beach said the underclassmen have had a major impact already in the locker room and on the practice field. The Lobos are certainly going to have to turn to the young squad on offense after losing three of the team’s top hitters.
Willow Kalinen, who transferred to the University of Central Florida after just one season with the Lobos, led the team in hitting with her .414 average. Kalinen is not the only player that will be wearing a new uniform, as Naomi Tellez will be catching for DePaul this season. Tellez hit .369 in addition to her team-high 43 RBIs in her sophomore year a season ago.
Chelsea Anaya and Jordan Sjostrand have departed after completing all of their collegiate eligibility.
“We’ve had a pretty strong offense in the past, and I know we’re going to have that again,” Beach said. “That’s been very consistent of us.”
Sophomore Jasmine Casados led UNM with seven homers in her freshman campaign. The starting third baseman for the Lobos said the team’s motivation is on the same page this season.
“Our chemistry is just a little bit stronger than most teams,” Casados said. “My expectations are going to be that we come in as one ... I just want us all to be on the same page for one goal.”
One area Beach said the Lobos have improved on is the team’s pitching. UNM’s young pitching staff combined for a 7.66 ERA, and opponents connected for a .361 average against the Lobos last spring.
“We’re going to have a bigger impact in the circle this year,” Beach said. “We’ve got a new pitcher (Krissy Fortner) to add to the other four returners.”
Aside from Fortner, New Mexico’s pitching staff are all returners from last year’s forgettable 13-36 season. The Lobos’ 7-17 conference record placed them just one game above last-place Utah State (18-37), which finished 6-18 in conference games.
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Beach said the problem with last year’s rotation was that players weren’t mentally strong enough to take on the rigors of a long season.
“In the past we’ve given up so many runs from just being inefficient in the circle,” Beach said. “We’re really challenging them to give up two or fewer runs a game.”
Junior pitcher Lauren Soles led the team with a 6.14 ERA and said a major boost for the team has been meeting with Vallerie Valle, the school psychologist. She said the individual meetings with Valle in addition to the team reading “The Mind Gym” instilled a lot of the mental confidence for the squad.
“Yeah, you can do things physically, but it’s mostly mental,” Soles said. “It’s been helping our team a lot.”
Senior outfielder Brandi Heimburg said the chemistry in the locker room has team feeling like this could be a memorable season.
“You have that feeling that you know you’re going to be great; this is one of those teams,” Heimburg said. “Even the new girls that came in, they’ve meshed so well with our team it’s like they were with us last year.”
Although Heimburg said the race is going to be grueling, she is confident her senior campaign is going to be a good one.
“Our conference is pretty tight,” Heimburg said. “I think it’s going to be a close race.”
An improved pitching staff, reliable hitting and a new feeling of confidence has Beach seeking a conference championship.
“We’re going to have to work hard to do it, but I really think we have the chance to take that step this year,” Beach said. “This is really the year we have been waiting for to make that move in conference.”
Liam Cary-Eaves is the assistant sports editor for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at assistantsports@dailylobo.com or on twitter @Liam_CE.
