‘Fired up’ squad set to open against Gonzaga
UNM also to face K-State, Oregon State in Classic
Opening day has arrived at last. More than 11 months after its promising 2020 season was cut short, the University of New Mexico baseball team will get back on the field Friday. The Lobos face Gonzaga in round one of the four-day College Baseball Classic in Surprise, Arizona. They’ll take on Oregon State (twice) and Kansas State over the tournament’s final three days.
Asked about his team’s excitement level Thursday, veteran UNM coach Ray Birmingham chuckled.
“They were pretty fired-up getting on the bus this morning,” he said. “I think some of them were awake all night — but that was probably about playing video games. It’s all about baseball now.”
The Lobos come in as a confident bunch, with numerous key players back from a squad that was 14-4 when last season was called off because of coronavirus concerns.
The returnees include UNM’s top four starting pitchers — Aaron Makil, Justin Armbruester, Tristin Lively and Nathaniel Garley — and Lively believes the Lobos have upgraded their talent level since last season.
“We had a good season going last year,” he said, “but we’re even better now. This is the best team I’ve ever been part of. I can’t wait to get started.”
UNM will face three quality foes in Arizona. Gonzaga was picked to finish second in the West Coast Conference this season, while Oregon State and Kansas State were picked fourth and seventh, respectively, in the loaded Pac-12 and Big 12 conferences.
Lobo senior catcher Shane Podsednik said his team is up for the early challenge.
“I think it’ll be a blast,” he said. “As a team we really want to show what we have, so playing three quality teams right away is a big opportunity.”
Returning seniors Podsednik and Jarrett Gonzales will likely split the catching duties for UNM, but the rest of this weekend’s starting lineup will feature several new faces. First baseman Jack Silverman, shortstop Mack Chambers, third baseman Willie Cano and designated hitters Tresten Kennard and Jared Martin all played for other collegiate programs last season.
Second baseman Lance Russell and outfielders Kyler Castillo, Adam Schneider and Harry Fullerton played extensively for UNM last season.
The Lobos will be without infielder and preseason All-Mountain West selection Kyle Landers this weekend. UNM’s leading hitter from a season ago, Landers was recently diagnosed with mononucleosis and is expected to miss two to three weeks.