Lobo Baseball hauls in highest-ranked high school recruiting class in program history
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – A class that has been a year and a half in the making has come through in an unprecedented way for the University of New Mexico baseball team as their 2020 signing class is ranked 33rd-nationally by Perfect Game.
The recruiting class ranking by Perfect Game is the highest-ever in program history and the best since 2011 when the Lobos had the 38th-ranked class. Over the course of the next four years, the signing class of 2011 went on to elevate Lobo Baseball to new heights winning the regular season championship in the Mountain West three times (2012, 2013 and 2014), advancing to the NCAA Regionals twice (2012 & 2013) and being nationally-ranked in 2013 and 2014.
PERFECT GAME COLLEGE RANKINGS CLASS OF 2020
“All the credit for this recruiting class goes to our recruiting coordinator, Jon Coyne,” said head baseball coach Ray Birmingham. “He worked his tail off to get some of the best players in the country to come to the University of New Mexico. Now that things are back to good within our program and facility enhancements on the horizon, we are right back to where we were not too long ago – becoming one of the best programs in the country and fighting to get to Omaha.”
In being ranked 33rd, the Lobos find themselves ahead of numerous perennial powerhouse programs in college baseball such as Texas A&M (36th), Stetson (37th), Oklahoma State (39th), Oregon State (52nd), Wichita State (69th) and Cal State Fullerton (70th).
“I am really excited about the recruiting class of 2020,” remarked recruiting coordinator Jon Coyne. “This what we worked on for the last year – year and a half since Ray brought me and Higgy (Brandon Higelin) on staff. Our first day on the job we were on the phone talking about 2020 prospects.”
Coyne added, “Having the class ranked 33rd is a great sense of accomplishment, very rewarding and a team effort from our entire coaching staff. It’s a big step in the right direction for our program.”
While the signees will not suit up for the Lobos until the 2021 season, the current assemblance of the Lobos is gearing up for the start of their upcoming 2020 season, which will start once more in mid-February in Surprise, Ariz. Be sure to check www.golobos.com for the full 2020 schedule release.