The University of New Mexico celebrated success on the baseball diamond, rewarded one of its fastest-rising coaches and ushered in a new era for its tennis programs over the past week, with Major League Baseball Draft recognition, coaching announcements and contract news highlighting a busy stretch for the Lobos.
Corkrean Selected by Royals in MLB Draft
New Mexico left-handed pitcher Cooper Corkrean is headed to professional baseball after being selected by the Kansas City Royals in the 18th round of the 2026 Major League Baseball Draft.
The selection makes Corkrean the first Lobo drafted since Isaac Gallegos was taken by the Atlanta Braves in 2023 and the 96th player in program history to hear his name called in the MLB Draft dating back to 1966.
Corkrean quickly became one of New Mexico’s most dependable arms after transferring to Albuquerque for the 2026 season. The junior from Katy, Texas, posted a 6-2 record with two saves while striking out 59 batters across 59 innings of work, earning Second Team All-Mountain West honors.
His impact was especially evident during conference play, where five of his six victories came against Mountain West opponents. He also played a pivotal role in the Lobos’ postseason run, tossing three scoreless innings to earn the save in New Mexico’s first Mountain West Tournament victory since 2018 against Nevada.
“Super excited for Cooper to get his professional career started after a great year for us in Albuquerque,” head coach Tod Brown said. “He was an all-conference performer and a key part of our success this season. His development under pitching coach Michael Lopez has been really impressive, and we’re looking forward to rooting for him at the next level.”
Orgeron Earns Contract Extension After Historic Softball Season
Following the program’s most successful season in more than a decade, New Mexico has rewarded head softball coach Nicole Orgeron with a contract extension that will keep her leading the Lobos through the 2028 season.
The extension follows a breakthrough 2026 campaign in which UNM finished 28-24 overall, posting its first winning season since 2015 while matching its highest Mountain West win total in more than a decade.
“It was a breakthrough year for Lobo Softball, on the field, in the classroom and in the community, and that success is a testament to Coach Orgeron’s leadership,” Vice President and Director of Athletics Ryan Berryman said.
The Lobos won 13 conference games, captured four Mountain West series, and earned sweeps over Boise State and Utah State. Along the way, New Mexico secured milestone series victories over San Diego State, Boise State and Fresno State while qualifying for the Mountain West Softball Championship for the first time since the tournament returned in 2023.
Once there, UNM defeated Fresno State and shut out UNLV before finishing one victory shy of the championship game.
The season also produced several offensive milestones. The Lobos scored 286 runs, their highest total since 2012 and the second-most in program history. They also finished with 412 hits, 57 home runs, 258 RBIs, a .459 slugging percentage and 661 total bases, all among the best single-season marks the program has ever recorded.
Five players earned All-Mountain West honors, setting a new school record.
Pitching also took a major step forward under Orgeron’s direction. Freshman Caitlin Benningfield and junior McKenna Guest each won 12 games, tying for fourth in the conference. Benningfield struck out 124 batters—the most by a Mountain West freshman and the highest total by a Lobo freshman in at least two decades—while adding five saves, tied for the second-most in school history.
Defensively, New Mexico established new program records with just 47 errors and a .960 fielding percentage.
The Lobos have also become one of the conference’s strongest academic programs during Orgeron’s tenure. Softball has produced the six highest semester GPAs in school history over the past six semesters, including a program-record 3.83 GPA during the fall of 2025. This past season also saw a program-record 17 players earn Academic All-Mountain West recognition.
“Over the past four years, we have built a program that Lobo fans can be proud of in the classroom, on the field and in the community,” Orgeron said. “With this extension and the roster we have returning, I look forward to continuing the standard that has been set and reaching new heights.”
Vicky Maes Transitions into New Leadership Role
After eight seasons leading the women’s tennis program, Vicky Maes is stepping away from coaching to become the new Director of the Lobo Tennis Club.
Although her role changes, Maes will remain closely connected with both the men’s and women’s tennis programs while overseeing one of New Mexico’s premier tennis facilities.
Maes leaves as the second-winningest coach in program history with an 84-79 overall record.
Her tenure was highlighted by a historic 2024 season that saw the Lobos finish 19-3, capture their first Mountain West regular-season championship in two decades and set a school record with an .864 winning percentage. The team opened that season with 10 consecutive victories and a 17-1 start, earning Maes Mountain West Coach of the Year honors.
She coached 14 All-Mountain West performers during her time in Albuquerque while also building one of the nation’s strongest academic programs. Her teams earned ITA Academic Team recognition in all eight seasons, including GPAs above 4.0 twice and a department-record 4.06 GPA this past spring.
“I have been so privileged and so honored to be the head coach at UNM for the past eight seasons,” Maes said. “While leaving college coaching is bittersweet, I look forward to the impact I can have on both our programs and the Lobo Tennis Club as the new Director of Tennis.”
As director, Maes will oversee the only indoor tennis facility in New Mexico while managing memberships, instructional programs, youth clinics, and USTA events.
Joe Vann Takes Over Women’s Tennis Program
With Maes moving into her new position, New Mexico turned to one of Division II’s most accomplished coaches to guide the women’s tennis program.
Joe Vann was introduced as the eighth head coach in program history after compiling a 73-34 record over five seasons at Central Oklahoma.
Vann led the Bronchos to four NCAA Tournament appearances, two MIAA regular-season championships and three conference tournament titles. His inaugural season at Central Oklahoma produced a remarkable 24-2 record and a national runner-up finish in NCAA Division II.
Last season, the Bronchos went 18-4, shared the MIAA regular-season title, captured the conference tournament championship and finished No. 27 in the final ITA national rankings.
“The future of Lobo Women’s Tennis is bright as we welcome Coach Joe Vann and his family to the Lobo Family,” Berryman said. “Coach Vann has demonstrated the ability to recruit elite student-athletes and compete for championships and NCAA berths.”
Prior to Central Oklahoma, Vann served as an assistant coach at UT Tyler, helping both the men’s and women’s programs capture multiple conference championships while successfully transitioning from Division III to Division II competition. He also helped establish the tennis programs at East Texas Baptist and previously coached at Austin Peay.
Throughout his coaching career, Vann has mentored 13 NCAA All-Americans, multiple conference players of the year and an ITA National Player of the Year while earning two MIAA Coach of the Year awards.
“I am very honored to be joining the Lobo Athletic Family,” Vann said. “It is an honor to help carry Lobo Women’s Tennis forward and build upon its previous success in this new chapter, and I can’t wait to get to work.”
With Maes remaining within the department and Vann taking over the program, New Mexico enters the 2026-27 season hoping to build upon the foundation established over the past eight years while continuing to compete for Mountain West championships.
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