Birmingham’s Lobos to open season today in Arizona tournament
Statistically speaking, 2017 was a perfect season for Jeff Deimling.
The Albuquerque native and La Cueva High alum hit 1.000 in his first season with the University of New Mexico baseball team. Deimling lined a pinch-hit RBI single to right field in his only at-bat, part of an 8-2 Lobos win over New Mexico State in El Paso.
Realistically speaking, that hit was the highlight of a lost season for Deimling. A fractured hamate bone in his left hand — he's still not certain how or when the injury happened — caused Deimling to take a medical redshirt and watch the rest of UNM's season from the bench.
"It was very crazy," Deimling said. "I got called to pinch hit and was in the on-deck circle loosening up. I took a good, hard swing and felt a twinge in my hand. I thought I'd strained something."
Deimling realized there was a problem during his lengthy at-bat, which included several foul balls before ending with a single.
"I think adrenaline got me through that at-bat," he said, "but by the end of the game my hand was really hurting. The bus ride home felt like the longest trip ever. I texted my mom and told her, 'I think I have a problem.'"
Deimling received the necessary treatment and now believes his hand was injured prior to his fateful at-bat. The hard swing he took in the on-deck circle likely made an existing fracture worse.
But the redshirt junior has not held back on his hacks this preseason and the results have been impressive. Deimling is slated to be UNM's starting first baseman when the Lobos open 2018 at the Surprise Tournament in Arizona.
The event begins with New Mexico facing No. 2 Oregon State today at 1 p.m. UNM will take on Cal Poly and Gonzaga before playing a second game against the Beavers in the four-day, four-team tournament.
It's the beginning of a big opportunity for Deimling, who spent two seasons at New Mexico Junior College after helping La Cueva win a Class 6A state title in 2014. Lobo coach Ray Birmingham expects Deimling to not only rise to the occasion but provide leadership for a youthful UNM squad.
"Jeff Deimling will probably lead the team in homers this year," Birmingham said. "He's that guy who has so much potential. He just needs to know how special he can be."
To that end, Birmingham placed a handwritten sign in Deimling's locker which reads: "I am a champion. I expect everyone in this room to be the same."
But Deimling admits he's still a work in progress at first base, having split time between infield and outfield in past seasons. Deimling is making every effort to become an adept defensive first baseman.
"I'm out here working on footwork and picking up bad throws every day," he said. "First base is more challenging than people think but I like it. I think I'm getting better."
Deimling's Division I batting average, on the other hand, seems destined to go downhill.
"Yeah, guys give me grief about being a 1,000 hitter," Deimling said with a grin. "(Lobo relief pitcher) Christian Tripp is in the 1-for-1 club, too, but he's got a better chance to stay there. I just hope my next at-bat doesn't hurt."
TOUGH ASSIGNMENT: The Lobos (30-27-1 last season) face a tall order in today's opener. Oregon State (56-6 last season) reached the College World Series in 2017 and is a unanimous choice to repeat as Pac-12 champion in 2018. UNM was picked this week to win the Mountain West in 2018 but received just three of seven first-place votes.
Birmingham expects his team to face All-American left-hander Luke Heimlich, who went 11-1 with a sparkling 0.76 ERA last season. The Lobos faced Heimlich in 2015 when the lefty received no decision in a 7-4 UNM victory. New Mexico beat the Beavers twice at the Surprise Tournament that season. Senior outfielder Danny Collier is the lone UNM player who played against Oregon State in 2015, though he did not bat against Heimlich.
"There may be a revenge factor for a few of their guys," Birmingham said. "Most of the guys who played for us are gone."
It figures to be a challenging weekend for the Lobos. Cal Poly was 28-28 last season, while Gonzaga was 33-20 and won a West Coast Conference title.
Still, Birmingham plans to insert numerous players into his lineup as several positions remain contested. Outfielders Collier and Jared Mang, shortstop Hayden Schilling, Deimling and tandem catchers Robby Campillo and Daniel Herrera were the only sure starters as of Wednesday, Birmingham said.
Pitchers Justin Slaten, Robert Gasser, Cody Dye and either James Harrington or Drew Gillespie are expected to get starts this weekend.
"We're going to Arizona to try to win games," Birmingham said, "but we also need to give young guys some experience and see how they respond. This is a young team and we have to think long term."