A schedule featuring 26 home games highlighted the 2007 Lobo baseball run. The Lobos posted a 6-33 record last season (1-20, ASC) but coach Mike Pallanez took advantage of some home cooking early winning two of their first three series. (2007 Season Stats)

After losing four games to NCAA Division II powerhouse Eastern New Mexico University to open the season, Sul Ross rebounded by taking two of three contests from Division II West Texas A&M University. Following a quick stop in Odessa to tangle with another DII, UT Permian Basin, the Lobos won two of three games against American Southwest Conference East Division foe LeTourneau University. Sully also surprised an eighth-ranked Texas Lutheran team in a 10-9 conference win at Kokernot Field.

Returning senior pitcher Jaime Rojo will lead the mound staff for 2008. Rojo finished 2007 with an 8.61 ERA after 12 appearances while posting a 2-11 record. Other probable returners include Cody Kemmerling, Michael Otero, Joe Elowitz and Ritchie Ortega.

First baseman Sammy Robles paced the Lobo batting game in 2007 with a .333 batting average after 34 games and 111 at-bats. Robles led Sul Ross with 22 RBI’s and sported a .459 slugging percentage. Fellow slugger Javier Arrieta will add depth after finishing last season with a .326 batting average after 129 plate showings and 36 games. Arrieta also collected 12 of 13 stolen bases and drove in 18 runs.

“I would like to see improvement in our walk-to-strikeout ratio in the batting department,” Pallanez said. “We are not a power-laden team, so making contact and advancing runners is crucial to our success.”