Sports - The Daily Lobo

Infielder Katie Gilmore tags out a Colorado State runner at second base during Sunday's 4-1 win at the Lobo Softball Field.

Sports

Softball sweeps series against Colorado State

Isaac Avilucea | April 14

After dismantling CSU 15-4 on Saturday, the UNM softball team took the field looking to replicate the success. Coming off a day accented by 13 hits, Sunday was a different story but resulted in the same ending - a 4-1 Lobo victory. UNM head coach Ty Singleton said Sunday's victory boosted the Lobos' chances at winning the Mountain West Conference "We can continue to control our own destiny," he said.

Sports

Sports in Brief

April 14

Track and field Lee Emmanuel established himself as one of the fastest distance runners in the nation Saturday at Arizona State's Sun Angel Classic. The junior clocked a time of 3:40.77 in the 1,500-meter run, which is the fastest time recorded by a collegiate runner this season.

Britney Choy works on her swing Thursday during practice at the UNM Championship Golf Course. The UNM women's golf team will host the Mountain West Conference Tournament beginning April 17.

Sports

Golf to host MWC Tournament

Isaac Avilucea | April 11

The UNM women's golf team made progressions as the season went along and will get a chance to make its biggest progressive impact next weekend. The Lobos will host this season's Mountain West Conference Tournament, which will be played at the UNM Championship Golf Course.

Ariel Burr runs at the Albuquerque Convention Center during the 2007 season. The UNM women's track and field team is ranked No. 24 in the nation.

Sports

Track running a solid season

Steven Fernandez | April 11

The UNM track and field team is enjoying one of its most successful seasons and is now getting some national attention. The Lobo women were listed as the No. 24 team in the country by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. UNM debuted at that spot in the first Division I Outdoor Track and Field Rankings for the 2008 outdoor season.

Sports

Tailback says he will be eligible to play this season

Steven Fernandez | April 9

Senior tailback Rodney Ferguson enjoyed a fine season in 2007, rushing for 1,177 yards and 13 touchdowns for the UNM football team. But the then-junior missed the biggest game of the season, failing to participate in the New Mexico Bowl due to academic ineligibility.

Sports

From the Sports Gutter

Isaac Avilucea and Steven Fernandez | April 9

Welcome to another edition of "From the Sports Gutter." This week, the topic is Major League Baseball. The American League has been putting a beating on the National League for the past decade-plus. Will any NL team step up to the plate and win the World Series this year? Maybe if the AL has an off year.

Lobo quarterback Donovan Porterie hands off to tailback Paul Baker last season against TCU. Porterie and Baker will be counted on to lead a young UNM offense next season.

Sports

Players step up to lead a young pack

Steven Fernandez | April 9

UNM head football coach Rocky Long said his team goes through cycles of experience and youth - and 2008 happens to be a year where inexperience will rule. So that makes the spring season, which begins this week, that much more important if the Lobos are going to continue to make strides in the program.

UNM's Max Jones returns a volley in singles action against San Diego State on Sunday at the UNM Soccer Complex. Jones helped the Lobos go 3-0 over the weekend, including Sunday's 5-2 win over the Aztecs.

Sports

Lobos claim victory against three conference opponents

Isaac Avilucea | April 7

The UNM tennis team clawed its way to victory last weekend, racking up wins against Utah, Air Force and San Diego State. The Lobos beat Utah 4-3 on Friday before following up the win with a clean sweep against Air Force, 7-0 on Saturday. The Lobos closed out the weekend by defeating San Diego State 5-2 on Sunday.

Midfielder Marcos Rivera tries to claim the ball over Northern Arizona's Lon Giancola. Both teams compete in the Rocky Mountain Lacrosse Conference.

Sports

Learning the ropes

Isaac Avilucea | April 7

Lacrosse may not be as big in the Southwest as it is on the East Coast, but members of the UNM lacrosse club are eager to change that. Marcos Rivera, the team's vice president, said his goal is for the school's club team to help generate interest in the sport.

Lobo midfielder Michael Reed dribbles the ball away from Fort Lewis defender Keane Hamilton on Saturday at Robertson Field. UNM defeated Fort Lewis 2-0 and Air Force 3-0 in Saturday's spring exhibition games.

Sports

Despite changes in lineup, soccer still holding strong

Steven Fernandez | April 7

The UNM men's soccer team lost one of its most successful goalkeepers in program history and is seeing some changes in the coaching staff. But none of that seemed to matter in the Lobos' spring season debut, as they defeated Air Force 3-0 and Fort Lewis 2-0 on Saturday at Robertson Field.

UNM's Coty Wilson slides into second base as Isotopes shortstop Chase Lambin turns a double play Wednesday. The Isotopes beat the Lobos 3-0 in an exhibition game.

Sports

Lobos use Isotopes game to nurture young players

Isaac Avilucea | April 4

On display Tuesday night at Isotopes Park were all the elements of a professional game: the lights, the wooden bats, the press, the peanut gallery. However, instead of two major league teams, the UNM baseball team took on the Albuquerque Isotopes. On paper, the matchup may seem unfair.

Middle blocker Anna Lehne spikes the ball during the Lobos' 2-1 win over the University of Denver during the UNM Spring Volleyball Tournament on Saturday. The Lobos went 5-0 at the invite.

Sports

Volleyball still competitive in off-season

Brandon Call | April 4

The UNM volleyball team is keeping busy in the off-season. The Lobos went 5-0 at their spring invite last weekend, defeating teams from the University of Denver, Frank Phillips College and an all-star team made of ex-college players. Head coach Jeff Nelson said UNM is showing progression from last season.

UNM catcher Rafael Neda connects with a pitch during Saturday's first game of a doubleheader, a 9-4 win over Vermont. The Lobos swept Vermont in a four-game series at Isotopes Park this weekend.

Sports

Lobos overtake Vermont in series

Isaac Avilucea | March 31

Last weekend at Isotopes Park was hectic for the UNM baseball team. UNM pitcher Will Kerr threw a complete game, and Brian Cavazos-Galvez broke out of his early season struggles as the Lobos swept Vermont in a four-game series, improving to 18-10. Coach Ray Birmingham said it was important that his team didn't underestimate its opponent.

Johnny, left, and Chris Parkes have played a big role on the UNM men's tennis team. The brothers' close relationship has helped them succeed on and off the court.

Sports

Relaxing Energy

Xochitl Campos | March 31

When Chris Parkes played tennis in his hometown of Southport, England, he was used to seeing his little brother cheer for him on the sidelines. Fast forward a few years later, and the Parkes brothers cheer for each other on and off the court as UNM tennis players.

Sports

Like father, like son: Player has passion for the game

Isaac Avilucea | March 31

The dugouts, like ghost towns, are deserted. All that remains in the stadium is an oasis of neatly trimmed grass and a pile of dirt beneath a slender piece of rectangular rubber. Even after all those rambunctious fans had piled out, Lobo utility man Dane Hamilton stayed to practice.

Shortstop Scott Gracey throws in Tuesday's game against NMSU at Isotopes Park. The Lobos lost Tuesday's game 15-2 but bounced back and defeated NMSU 13-1 on Wednesday.

Sports

Lobos split series with rival Aggies

Isaac Avilucea | March 28

Maybe it's the slight variation between the school colors - red and maroon. Maybe it's because NMSU is so close to El Paso, and the Aggies come in with a Texas-sized chip on their shoulders. Or maybe - with the Rio Grande Rivalry as an added incentive - the Lobos and Aggies just want to get their hands on those state bragging rights.

Sports

Sports in Brief

March 28

Men's track and field Anthony Fairbanks was named Mountain West Conference Outdoor Track and Field Athlete of the Week after he broke the conference record in the javelin throw. The junior hit a mark of 224-11, which broke the MWC record by 2 1/2 feet. As of Tuesday, the distance is the fourth-best in the nation.

Pittsburgh Panthers guard Shavonte Zellous celebrates with teammate Marcedes Walker after beating the Baylor Bears in the second round of the 2008 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at The Pit. Pittsburgh won 67-59.

Sports

Pittsburgh, Vanderbilt enter ranks of Sweet 16

Steven Fernandez | March 26

The women's NCAA basketball Sweet 16 field is complete, and Pittsburgh and Vanderbilt are moving on after winning first-round games held at The Pit this week. No. 6 seed Pittsburgh pulled off the only considerable upset of the games played in Albuquerque, knocking off No.

Sports

No. 1 seeds set to make NCAA Tournament history

Isaac Avilucea | March 26

It's March Madness, and what a crazy year it has been. Let's go over some of this year's upsets. Duke vs. West Virginia The outcome of this one, a 73-67 Mountaineer upset, was predicated on Duke's inability to shoot the 3-pointer. Because Duke lacks a strong interior presence, it was heavily reliant on the transitional buckets and 3-pointers.

Senior J.R. Giddens was named Mountain West Conference Co-Player of the Year, along with Lee Cummard of BYU.

Sports

Lobos leave behind big shoes to fill

Steven Fernandez | March 24

All season long, UNM head basketball coach Steve Alford talked about building a program rather than just building a season. So, if Lobo fans can look past the gut-wrenching end to postseason play, there should be plenty to get excited about in upcoming seasons.