UNM baseball coach Ray Birmingham added nine pitchers to the Lobo ranks during the early signing period.
FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The University of New Mexico has inked 12 players to National Letters of Intent for the fall of 2009 during the recent early signing period. Head Coach Ray Birmingham and his staff have put together one of the best recruiting classes that New Mexico has seen in quite some time. The 2009 class features seven incoming freshman, five of which are New Mexico natives, and five junior college transfers.
“This is on the best recruiting classes in Lobo baseball history,” said Birmingham. “We had some areas where we needed to improve and one was pitching. We picked up some kids that can throw in the mid-90s. That’s what gets you to Omaha. The local kids we picked up have the best arms in New Mexico. All the New Mexico kids we picked up were the best players on all of our lists. Coach (Ken) Jacome and Coach (Chad) Tidwell did a great job on finding a great mix of junior college talent and high school talent.”
2009-10 New Mexico Baseball Recruiting Class
Junior College Transfers
Justin Aragon – RHP, 6-2, 205 – South Mountain Community College – Albuquerque, N.M. (La Cueva HS)
2008 Season (Kansas State) – 1-0, 3.86 ERA, 7 strikeouts with 3 walks
Zach Cleveland – RHP, 6-1, 180 – Central Arizona College – Blackhawk, Colo.
2008 Season – 0-0, 4.28 ERA, 11 strikeouts and 4 walks; CAC finished third at the NJCAA World Series
Richard Olson – RHP, 6-0, 170 – Clarendon College – Sydney, Australia (Baulkham Hills)
2008 Season – 3-1, 3.54 ERA, 30 strikeouts with 8 walks
Jonathan Paez – RHP, 6-1, 220 – Clarendon College – San Antonio, Texas (Holmes HS)
2008 Season – 5-0, 4.97 ERA, 47 strikeouts with 14 walks
Austin Terhune – LHP, 6-0, 190 – Seward County Community College – Perryton, Texas (Perryton HS)
2008 Season – 6-2, 2.70 ERA, 63 strikeouts and picked up one save, named All-Jayhawk Conference Honorable Mention
Incoming Freshmen
Tyler Black – Middle INF, 5-9, 165, L/R – La Cueva HS – Albuquerque, N.M.
2008 Season – picked up 25 RBI on the season; 5A first team all-state as a shortstop
Brett Doe – Middle INF, 6-0, 170, R/R – Poteet High School – Mesquite, Texas
2008 Season – Batted .327, knocked in 20 RBI; Defensive MVP in District 10-4A at shortstop; 4A honorable mention all-state
Steven Florez – RHP – Las Cruces HS – Las Cruces, N.M.
2008 Season – 5-2, 4.27 ERA, 49 strikeouts; 5A all-state second team
Austin House – RHP, 6-4, 170 – La Cueva HS – Albuquerque, N.M.
2008 Season – 1.81 ERA, 3-1, 1 save
Bobby Mares – RHP – Socorro HS – El Paso, Texas
2008 Season – 8-4, 2.62 ERA, 58 strikeouts; also hit .471 with 63 RBI, 18 doubles and three home runs; named to all-city team; joins former teammate and current Lobo Gabe Aguilar
Abe Tarin – RHP, 6-2, 200 – La Cueva HS – Albuquerque, N.M.
2008 Season Р5A all-state second team as a pitcher and third baseman for O̱ate High School in Las Cruces; transferred to La Cueva for senior season
John Twichell – 1B/OF, 6-2, 185, L/L – Bishop Lynch HS – Dallas, Texas
2008 Season – Batted .373, knocked in 29 RBI and belted four home runs; 6A TAPPS first team all-state
The Lobo baseball team will get the 2009 season underway on Friday, Feb. 20 against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at 3 p.m. at Isotopes Park in Albuquerque. For a complete 2009 schedule, go to www.GoLobos.com.
