ALBUQUERQUE - The University of New Mexico softball team earned seven points in the preseason NFCA/USA Today Softball Poll released today.

The Lobos did not earn any votes in last year¹s preseason poll, but were ranked in every regular season poll that followed before being ousted from the Western Athletic Conference Tournament. UNM set a school record with a 42-14 mark last year, and this year's team returns eight-of-nine starters and its top two pitchers from a three-man rotation.

Yesterday, New Mexico was picked to finish second in the inaugural season in the Mountain West Conference by the league¹s coaches. The Lobos had one first place vote and finished with 21 total points. Utah was the first place pick with three first place votes and 23 points.

New Mexico will begin play in 2000 by hosting its own Diamond Invitational, February 4-6. The strong field of teams will include the Lobos, Texas Tech, Cal State Fullerton, Tulsa and Colorado State. Cal State Fullerton and Texas Tech also earned points in the season's first poll.

The team will host its first-ever media day on Tuesday, February 1 at Lobo Field. Local media will be challenged to hit starting pitcher Kathy Moore, one of the hardest throwing pitchers in the conference. The event will begin at 2:00 p.m. and the team will hold practice shortly after. Food and drinks will be made available to the media and interviews can be conducted with any player any time during the event or practice (i.e. media will have as long as it needs, regardless of whether practice is taking place or not.