ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.— The 2019 softball season begins on Friday for The University of New Mexico and with any season comes anticipation of the first time a batter steps into the box or the pitcher steps into the circle.
For the Lobos, the anticipation stems from the new makeup of the roster, including an entirely new pitching staff down to the pitching coach.
UNM underwent a roster overhaul with nine new players joining the program, comprised of seven freshmen and two junior pitchers who transferred from other programs.
Suiting up for the first time in a Lobo uniform this season are freshmen Maggie Buckholz (utility), MacKenzie Peterson (outfielder), Daryn Haslam (infielder), Kennedy Ferguson (pitcher), Leslie Romero (outfielder), Emma Steltzer (outfielder), Skylar Jenkins (outfielder) and pitchers Bailey Klitzke and Kiana Spencer.
However, the remainder of the roster consists of 10 returners who held a consistent presence in the 2018 season lineup.
Leading the charge is New Mexico alum Paula Congleton, who enters her second season and is joined on the coaching staff by Tyler Heil and a new assistant coach and pitching coach in Breanna Macha.
Perhaps the most important component to the success of the Lobos this season will start with a group that has yet to officially record an out for UNM. The Cherry and Silver will debut an entirely new pitching staff in 2019, acquiring two transfers in the offseason in junior left-hander Klitzke, who was previously at Wichita State, and junior left-hander Spencer, who joins the program from Yavapai College. The Lobos also signed a right-handed pitcher in the 2018 signing class in Kennedy Ferguson, a freshman who hails from Washington.
Last season, Klitzke compiled a record of 7-2 for the Shockers, including wins over Big 12 schools Oklahoma State and Texas, and finished the season with an ERA of 3.10. Spencer threw 112.2 inning, going 20-1 while registering one save, and completed the season with a 1.55 ERA and 86 strikeouts.
On the other end of the battery, the Lobos feature two catchers in Sydney Broderick and Lauren Wilmert, both of which saw action behind the plate in 2018. Broderick appeared in 42 games, starting in 36 games at catcher in her freshman season. Broderick ultimately appeared in 38 games at catcher while Wilmert appeared in 15 games, starting 14. Wilmert also spent time at first base last season, and is expected to split time there this season as well. Klitzke is also listed as a first baseman on the roster.
Manning shortstop for UNM will be junior Cameryn O’Grady, who started 52 of the 53 games last season at the position. O’Grady led the Lobos at the plate in triples (four), doubles (12), walks (32), on-base percentage (.444) and runs scored (31). She was second on the team with 43 hits, 75 total bases and 26 RBIs, and third in batting average (.301) and slugging percentage (.524). O’Grady also recorded four home runs, the fourth-most on the team. Defensively, the California native had the third-most putouts with 101 and was responsible for a team-high 10 fielding double plays.
Other returning infielders for the Lobos in 2019 are Monica Salas, who played 35 games at third and Kasey Halleen, who played second in 48 games.
The Lobos list eight players as outfielders on the roster, including D’Andra DeFlora, Sydney Townes and Aleyah Wilbon, who all saw the most playing time last season. DeFlora started all 54 games in the outfield, registering a group-high 88 putouts and a fielding percentage of .969. Townes had the second-most appearances in the outfield with 44 games with Wilbon making 27 appearances in 2018.
Moving from a utility player to the outfield, sophomore Andrea Howard looks to build on her impressive rookie campaign, in which she earned Mountain West second-team distinction. While she predominately was the first baseman in 2018, appearing at first in 47 games, Howard has found a new place in the outfield. With the graduation of Chelsea Johnson, Howard is the top returner for the Lobos in batting average (.313) and slugging percentage (.534). Defensively, she led the team in putouts with 296 on the year and in fielding percentage at .987.
As for the schedule, the non-conference tournament portion will test the Lobos as it features four teams that were ranked in the top 11 in the preseason polls and four teams that were receiving votes in each of the major polls. In the USA Today/ NFCA Coaches Poll, Florida ranked fifth, followed by Arizona in seventh, Tennessee in eighth and Alabama tied for ninth. In the ESPN.com/USA Softball poll, Florida was also fifth with Arizona in sixth, Tennessee in eighth and Alabama just outside of the top 10 in 11th. UNM will face Arizona and Alabama the second weekend of the season at the Hillenbrand Invitational with a separate single game against host Arizona. Also in the tournament will be USF and Cal State Fullerton, who received votes in both polls.
At the end of February, UNM will play Florida and Tennessee back-to-back at the Judi Garman Classic. Tickets for the popular tournament are available HERE, with fans encouraged to purchase their tickets in advance as several days of the Judi Garman have the potential to sell out.
The first home game of the season is March 22 against Colorado State, the first of eight home games.
Lobo fans can attend all of UNM’s home softball games with the New Mexico Mutual Lobo Pride Pass. At just $50, the pass allows entry to indoor track, baseball and softball. To purchase, go to Purchase New Mexico Mutual Lobo Pride Pass, call 925-LOBO or visit the Lobo Ticket Office located in Dreamstyle Arena for more information.