UNM getting into meat of MWC schedule

To open series vs. Air Force today

University of New Mexico baseball coach Ray Birmingham remains convinced his youthful Lobos will grow into Mountain West Conference contenders this season.

He needs the maturation process to pick up speed.

UNM (8-11-1, 2-4 MWC) endured a difficult first month, playing several top-notch opponents with 13 of its first 20 games away from home. It’s been something of a trial by fire for team that’s started as many as seven freshmen at a time and was without All-Mountain West outfielder Jared Mang (broken hand) for 12 games.

Not much harm was done as the Lobos played just six of their 30 scheduled conference games, but the grind begins in earnest this week. The Lobos host a three-game series with Air Force (8-12, 2-4) starting tonight at Santa Ana Star Field. Twelve of UNM’s next 14 games will be against Mountain West foes.

“Every game matters but conference games are more important,” said

Mang, who returned to the lineup last weekend. “Air Force is really competitive and they always hit. We need to get up for the challenge.”

The Falcons have better offensive numbers than UNM thus far, hitting .280 as a team with 118 runs scored. Rob Dau (.342 average) and Nic Ready (seven homers, 21 RBIs) have been the top producers. Junior second baseman Colby Brown is an Albuquerque Academy alum.

Hayden Schilling (.414 average) has been UNM’s top hitter, but he’s questionable for the series with a sore hamstring. Overall, the Lobos are hitting .272 with 108 runs scored.

New Mexico’s pitching has outperformed Air Force’s to this point, posting a 4.87 earned-run average to the Falcons’ 6.75 ERA. Relievers Malachi Emond (2-1, 1.59 ERA) and Christian Tripp (1-1, 1.86 ERA with five saves) have been particularly good, and Birmingham hopes UNM’s pitching can set the tone for the series.

“Air Force has veteran players and is probably better than us right now,” Birmingham said. “They know this is their chance to come here and win a series. The message for our guys is, ‘Don’t let it happen.’”