ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The University of New Mexico softball team is predicted to finish eighth in the Mountain West Preseason Poll that was announced Tuesday morning by the conference office.
The Lobos received 26 points in the poll which was one point behind UNLV and Colorado State that tied for sixth. The Lobos finished with a 23-27 overall record last year and 8-15 in the Mountain West. The Lobos were three losses behind Colorado State last year.
Fresno State is picked to be the favorite once again as they won the 2016 MW Title last season, earning four first-place votes and 59 total points. San Diego State was picked second while San José State was tabbed to finish third. UNLV, Utah State and Colorado State round out the middle of the pack while Nevada and Boise State were picked eighth and ninth.
Utah State was tabbed to finish fourth with 33 points, followed closely by Nevada in fifth with 32 tallies. Colorado State and UNLV tied for sixth with 27 points. New Mexico (26 points) and Boise State (8 points) round out the poll in eighth and ninth place, respectively.
First pitch of the 2017 season will be this Friday, Feb. 10 as the Lobos head to Tempe, Ariz. to compete in the Kajikawa Classic for the sixth straight year. They open up with Seattle on Friday at 3 p.m. MT.
2017 MW Softball Preseason Coaches’ Poll
| Pl. | Team (1st place votes) | Points |
| 1. | Fresno State (4) | 59 |
| 2. | San Diego State (3) | 57 |
| 3. | San José State (2) | 55 |
| 4. | Utah State | 33 |
| 5. | Nevada | 32 |
| 6. | Colorado State | 27 |
| UNLV | 27 | |
| 8. | New Mexico | 26 |
| 9. | Boise State | 8 |