Postseason facial hair has begun to grow for many New Mexico players, but a massive series against Air Force looms to shape how the postseason will be played out.
In UNM’s last series of the regular season, the Lobos will have to garner a sweep, for a shot at a piece of the conference crown and the number one seed in the Mountain West Tournament.
It’s a big series against the best team Air Force has ever had in the history of the school,” head coach Ray Birmingham said.
New Mexico (33-20, 18-9 MW) sits amidst a pile-up among the top three teams in the league. Fresno State (35-18, 21-9) has already claimed at least a portion of the title following their series win over UNLV, this past weekend.
Nevada (31-21, 18-9 MW) is the third team embedded in the logjam and could also be a recipient of the Mountain West elite if the team sweeps the Rebels at home.
“We want to put ourselves in a place where we are on top of the conference, put ourselves in a good position playing for the conference tournament at home, and we have a chance to do that this weekend,” Carl Stajduhar said with his mustache connected to his mutton chops.
The bats have been there for the majority of the 2016 campaign, but Birmingham said the season finale is going to come down to pitching. He said if the pitching staff can hold the Falcons (27-23, 11-16 MW) to under five runs each game, the Lobos are at great odds to complete the sweep.
For the banged up Lobos, a number one seed would do wonders for the club, giving the team an extra day to save an arm, and allow UNM to be spectators on Wednesday, May 25, when the tournament starts.
“Our pitching staff has run into injury issues, fatigue issues,” Birmingham said. “It keeps us deeper into the tournament with more pitching.”
Postseason aside, Birmingham wants to finish atop the conference in the regular season, because the coach said second place just doesn’t sit well with him.
“Every year at this time, we’re in the hunt,” he said. “Every year we have been champion or runner-up. I hate to say runner-up. It makes me vomit.”
Like last year, the Lobos started off well, but a late season visit from the injury bug has hindered New Mexico’s ability to sprint to the finish line.
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UNM second baseman Jared Holley has been caught hobbling around the bases late in the year, as Chris DeVito has been in and out of series for a hamstring injury. Though Stajduhar hasn’t missed much action, the head coach said the Mountain West leader in long balls has also been playing injured as well.
I’m just out here trying to do my part. Everybody’s out here trying to do their part,” Stajduhar said. “That’s all I am trying to do, whatever I can to help the team.”
Danny Collier, who Birmingham claimed as the best hitter on the team, hasn’t seen a pitch since April 26.
For two years in a row, we’re sitting in a great spot to win it, and injuries are a big part of the discussion,” Birmingham said.
Injury-riddled or not UNM has a shot to be atop the Mountain West, but it will have to come without a loss in Colorado Springs.
First pitch is scheduled for Thursday at 3 p.m.
Liam Cary-Eaves is the sports editor for the Daily Lobo. He primarily covers volleyball, women’s basketball and baseball. He can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @Liam_CE.
