The University of New Mexico Lobos saw a mixed bag of results this week across their athletic programs. Here’s a closer look:
Baseball Team Earns Crucial Win
The New Mexico Lobos baseball team (18-17) snapped an eight-game losing streak with a hard-fought 3-1 victory over CSU-Pueblo on Tuesday. The win puts them back above .500 just in time for a critical weekend series against Air Force (15-20).
The Lobos’ offense wasn’t flashy, but it was effective. Kyle Smith delivered two RBIs with a pair of well-placed sacrifice flies. The pitching staff shouldered the load, with six arms combining to hold CSU-Pueblo to a single unearned run on just three hits. Josh Barnhouse earned the win, tossing four scoreless innings with five strikeouts. The bullpen, featuring Justin Still, Arthur Steinkamp, Brian McBroom, Jaren Jackson, and Wil Bannister, shut the door on any comeback attempt by the Thunderwolves.
Softball Team Falls Short in Close Game
The New Mexico Lobos softball team (23-19) suffered a narrow defeat to in-state rivals New Mexico State (26-17) by a score of 4-3. The Lobos rallied valiantly in the bottom of the seventh inning after Keyannah Chavez tied the game with a solo home run in the sixth. However, they were unable to capitalize with runners in scoring position, falling just short of a comeback victory.
Despite the loss, the Lobos showcased their fighting spirit. UNM’s defense was strong throughout the game, turning a key double play in the first inning to prevent an early Aggie run. Starting pitcher Emily Brouse and reliever Amber Linton kept the game close before freshman Brooke Umali shut the door in the final inning. Offensively, the Lobos were led by a two-hit performance from Chavez, who also drove in two runs. Look for the Lobos to bounce back this weekend when they host Utah State for a three-game series.
Student-Athletes Honored at Inaugural “Louie” Awards
The University of New Mexico celebrated the achievements of its student-athletes at the first annual “Louie” awards ceremony. The event, which combined the former UNM Academic Awards Banquet with a student-athlete-run awards presentation, recognized excellence in academics, athletics, and community service.
A highlight of the evening was the presentation of major awards. Rachel Hathoot (Softball) and Jaelen House (Men’s Basketball) were crowned Female and Male Student-Athletes of the Year, respectively. The Men’s Cross Country team received a rousing ovation when they were awarded the “Moment of the Year” trophy for their program’s first Mountain West title in a decade.
Women’s Golf Starts Strong in Conference Championship
The New Mexico Lobos women’s golf team (10th) is in contention after the opening round of the Mountain West Championship. Lauren Lehigh is leading the charge for the Lobos, carding a 2-under par 70 to sit tied for fourth place individually. Myah McDonald (T-11th) is also within striking distance with an even par round. The team sits in sixth place overall, just three strokes behind San Diego State (6th) and five strokes back from Fresno State (5th). Head coach Jill Trujillo acknowledged a slow start but praised the consistent play of Lehigh and McDonald. The Lobos will look to climb the leaderboard in the final two rounds on Wednesday and Thursday.