New Mexico will look to build off Sunday’s walk-off win, in addition to ending the season on a high-note.
This will not be an easy task when hitting the road to San Jose State this weekend. The Spartans possess big time hitters and strong pitching and currently sit second in the Mountain West with a 14-7 conference record.
“San Jose State has been playing really good ball, so we need to step up to the challenge,” said head coach Erica Beach.
San Jose State has three of the most efficient hitters the Mountain West. Jessica Madrid is second in the conference with a .416 batting average and second in hits with 62. The Spartans also have a lot of power in their line-up with both Jessie Hufstetler (10 HRs 49 RBIs) and Brittany Abacherli (11 HRs 48 RBIs). Both hitters are in the top five in runs batted in, and in the top ten for homeruns on the season.
Emily Rogers also poses to be a threat for the Lobos, as the Spartan pitcher is fifth in the conference with a 3.62 ERA.
At home the Lobos have had their struggles, going 1-9 in their last 10 games while playing in Albuquerque, New Mexico. However, on the road, the team has been consistent and tough to beat. UNM holds an 8-5 overall record away from Lobo Softball Field, winning five of their last six and winning back-to-back series against Boise State and Colorado State.
New Mexico is averaging seven runs per contest as and having success with the long ball, hitting 11 homeruns in their last six games on the road.
The Lobos are led by senior centerfielder Mariah Rimmer in the opening spot of the lineup. Rimmer leads the Mountain West in hits with 64 hits and is fifth with a .398 batting average.
“I want to focus on producing for my team and having fun together for our last time playing with each other,” said Rimmer.
This series will conclude an up and down 2016 season for the Lobos, and for seniors like Rimmer, this weekend will be their last time wearing a UNM uniform.
“I want them to go out and compete every inning and overall, enjoy playing with each other one last time,” Beach said.
The series is set to start Thursday, May 12 at 1 p.m.
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Wally Gallart is a sports reporter for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @wallyagallart.
