Both New Mexico and BYU have occupied first place in the Mountain West Conference baseball and now the two teams meet in a three-game series starting Thursday at Albuquerque.
The Cougars, now 14-18-1 overall and 7-4 in the league, started out the season in first place tied with UNM. Then the Lobos, now 16-20 and 5-7, briefly were in first by themselves. Both teams are coming off non conference victories on Tuesday.
Jeff Mousser (5-2, 2.68), who was named MWC Pitcher of the Week and sports the lowest earned run average in the league, is scheduled to start Thursday's 3 p.m. game. On the hill for Friday afternoon's game will be Scott Koffman (2-2, 5.54). Saturday's probable starter is Paul Jacinto (2 1,7.71) as that contest starts at 1 p.m.
The Cougars are hopeful of a return of All-American outfielder Matt Carson. Carson missed the two non-league games with Southern Utah earlier this week to check out an injured left hand. Regardless, the Cougar outfield will need to be retooled as freshman centerfielder Ryan Chambers is out with a hamstring injured in the SUU series.
That could mean Doug Jackson returning to centerfield and Cameron Coughlan moving back to left field. With Coughlan out of the infield, Rob Itri may move back to second base or remain at third as Coach Vance Law weighs his options.
The BYU-UNM games will be broadcast live over KOVO Radio (960 AM), but none of the games are available this week on the Internet.