Lobos to Face Rebels in Penultimate Home Series of Season

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.— The Lobos have three weeks remaining in the Mountain West schedule, beginning with a tough test in UNLV starting Friday.

Friday’s game is set for 6 p.m. with Saturday at 3 p.m. and Sunday at noon. All three games will be streamed on the Mountain West Network for those unable to attend.

Taryn Young was instrumental for the Lobos in the last series at Nevada, hitting three home runs and recording seven RBI. Young tied her career high with two home runs in Friday’s game, a two-run home run in the third inning after Andrea Howard was intentionally walked, and a solo home run to lead off the fifth. In Saturday’s game, Young hit a three-run home run in the third inning after Ashley Archuleta was walked and Howard was intentionally walked, with the outfielder finishing the weekend with a 1.500 slugging percentage in the series.

While on the subject of intentional walks, Howard has been walked a total of 17 times in the last two series, 16 of which were intentional. As a result, the outfielder has climbed from 118th (April 13) with 22 walks in 38 games (.58 walks per game) to 5th (April 25) in the NCAA ranks in walks per game (.89 walks per game) with 39 walks in 44 games. Howard’s 39 walks are tied for the fourth-most walks in the NCAA with Oklahoma’s Jocelyn Alo right behind her with 38 walks in 43 games. In MW games, Howard has been walked 22 times, 17 times intentionally.

Howard is having her best season as a Lobo with a career-best 51 hits, three triples, 16 home runs, 48 RBI, 39 walks, 113 total bases, .415 batting average, .919 slugging percentage and .552 on-base percentage. The New Mexico native ranks 10th in the NCAA in total bases and slugging percentage, 14th in home runs, 16th in RBI as well as leads the conference in total bases, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, home runs, and walks, and is second in RBI and batting average and tied for second in hits. In conference games, she leads the conference in walks and is tied with Young and Briana Martinez for fifth with four home runs.

Since Howard has been walked so frequently in the last six games, she no longer qualifies for the 2.5 at-bat per game minimum to register on the MW batting leaders. However, her .394 batting average would have ranked third, her .879 slugging percentage would be third, and her .643 on-base percentage would lead the conference.

In the other dugout, UNLV enters the series 32-11 on the season, 10-5 in the MW, following a series win against Utah State. The Rebels won games one (6-0) and three (2-1) but lost the second game (3-2). UNLV has won every MW series this season except San Diego State, losing game one (2-0) and game three (7-6 in 11 innings). The Rebels share four non-conference opponents with UNM in BYU (won 5-3), New Mexico State (won 13-5 in six innings and 13-5 in five innings), Arizona (lost 7-2) and Dixie State (won 3-1 and lost 8-0 in five innings).

The Rebels lead the MW in overall batting average (.318) and on-base percentage (.413) and is second in home runs (52), total bases (570), walks (154), RBI (245), hits (348), runs scored (255) and slugging percentage (.522). The Rebels are third in ERA (2.78), opposing batting average (.232) and batters struck out (271). In conference games, UNLV leads in batting average (.299) and on-base percentage (.382) and is second in slugging percentage (.443), ERA (2.16) and opposing batting average (.222).

UNLV has used four pitchers in the circle this season, led by Jenny Bressler’s 35 appearances, 24 starts, 11 complete games and five saves. Bressler has allowed 114 hits, 50 runs (40 earned) and struck out 160 while walking 51. Alanna Thiede has appeared in 21 games with 12 starts and one complete game, throwing 68.0 innings. Thiede carries a 4.12 ERA with 66 hits and 44 runs (40 earned) allowed, while walking 28 and striking out 69. Jasmine Martin has a 4.20 ERA with 18 appearances, seven starts, four complete games and two saves. Martin has thrown 56.2 innings with 64 hits and 37 runs (34 earned) allowed. Martin has struck out 50 and walked 25. Bressler is second in the MW in ERA (1.78), batters struck out and opposing batting average (.198), but leads the conference in innings pitched (157.1) and wins (19). In conference games, she leads in ERA (1.10), innings pitched (70.0) and batters struck out (82).

Individually, Sofia Morales leads the conference in overall batting average at .419 with April Visser second in on-base percentage (.522) and home runs (14), and third in slugging percentage (.800) and runs scored (39). Mia Trejo is third in RBI at 44 and tied for seventh in hits (47). In conference games, Visser is second in on-base percentage (.527) and tied for third in batting average (.390), home runs (five) and slugging percentage (.780). Visser leads with 17 hits and five home runs and is tied for the team lead with 17 RBI in conference games.

Runs will be at a premium for the Lobos in the series, with the Rebels allowing just 40 runs (33 earned), and have allowed just 28 walks and 84 hits in conference play.

This season, the Lobos have scored 31 runs in the first inning but have had their greatest run production in the third inning with 40 runs. UNM is 13-6 when scoring in the first inning and 19-7 when scoring first. When the Lobos are leading late in the game, UNM is 19-2 when leading after four innings, 19-2 when leading after five innings and 19-1 when leading after six innings.

Following the series with the Rebels, the Lobos head to Boise State and host San Diego State May 12-14.