PROVO -- Despite outstanding defense and home runs by Ryan Chambers and Ranger Wiens, Brigham Young lost to New Mexico 6-5, Thursday night.

Joe Salas of New Mexico made Jeff Mousser (4-4) regret walking Chris Alexander in the fifth inning with two outs by hitting a home run to put UNM up 6-4.

Wiens hit a solo home run in the seventh, which barely stayed inside the foul pole and cleared the fence by a few inches, to put BYU down by a run, 6-5.

In the ninth, Kainoa Obrey tagged out a runner going to third and threw to first for a double play that ended a UNM's scoring threat and didn't allow Dusty Young to come to the plate for a chance to extend his hitting streak. Young's seventh-longest hitting streak in NCAA history was snapped at 39 games when he went 0-for-4 on the night, striking out twice.

Down only a run, the Cougars were unable to put together a rally after the Wiens' home run.

The victory gives UNM sole possession of second place in the Mountain West Conference at 27-15 overall, 10-6 in conference. BYU falls to 17-17, 9-7. BYU has lost nine of 10 one-run games this season.

BYU scored in the first inning when Obrey hit a hotshot past the diving second baseman to score Chambers from first base, making the score 1-0.

"We executed our offense by hitting the runs in when they were there, but UNM is a good team and Vermilyea is one of the best pitchers in the Mountain West," Head Coach Vance Law said.

James Vermilyea of New Mexico pitched the complete game, striking out 10 with a nasty split finger fast ball and allowed four earned runs on 128 pitches.

Doug Jackson had a web gem in the second inning when he made an over-the-shoulder catch on the warning track to keep the Lobos off the scoreboard. UNM's Jeff Grady came up with two outs and two on in the same inning and hit a home run in to give New Mexico a 3-1 lead.

The Lobos increased their lead to 4-1 when Joe Salas drove Sean Murray in the third. Brock Jacobsen threw out Salas at the plate to end the inning and to keep the game close.

In the third, Chambers hit a towering shot, which the center fielder lost in the twilight sky, and eventually fell 30 feet from the nearest defender. Before the Lobos were able to scramble to the ball, Chambers raced around the diamond for an inside-the-park home run. Wiens followed that homer with a triple of his own and scored on a passed ball, cutting UNM's lead to one, 4-3.

Again in the fourth, Jackson saved a run by laying out for a low liner, stranding one runner and recording the final out of the inning.

After Jacobsen singled, stole second and reached third on a passed ball, he eventually scored after Adam Wilkes hit a screamer to second. UNM's Ryan Barba's attempt to double up Jacobsen went wide, allowing Jacobsen to score the tying run, 4-4.

The Cougars take on the Lobos Friday night at 7. On Saturday, BYU will honor the 20th anniversary of the 1983 baseball team that was ranked No. 1 at the end of the regular season. Fans will be able to get autographs of team members, like Wally Joyner and Cory Snyder, before the game at 12:30 p.m. on the mezzanine level. The final game against New Mexico will start at 1 p.m.

Sam Bates, a single BYU graduate student studying psychology and school counseling, sunk an eight-foot putt to win a free $500 diamond from Goldsmith Jewelers.

New Mexico Lobos at Brigham Young Univ
Apr 17, 2003 at Provo, Utah (Larry H.Miller Field)
New Mexico Lobos 6 (27-15,10-6 MWC)
Player                    AB  R  H RBI BB SO PO  A LOB
------------------------------------------------------
YOUNG, Matt dh...........  5  0  0  0   0  1  0  0   2
YOUNG, Dusty ss..........  4  0  0  0   0  2  2  5   0
MURRAY, Sean lf..........  4  1  1  0   0  1  0  0   0
ALEXANDER, C 1b..........  3  1  0  0   1  0  9  2   0
SALAS, Joe rf............  4  2  3  3   0  0  1  0   0
MADER, Josh 3b...........  3  0  2  0   0  0  0  1   0
LIZARRAGA, C cf..........  4  1  1  0   0  0  3  0   1
GRADY, Jeff c............  4  1  2  3   0  2  8  0   0
BARBA, Ryan 2b...........  4  0  2  0   0  0  3  2   0
VERMILYEA, J p...........  0  0  0  0   0  0  1  1   0
Totals................... 35  6 11  6   1  6 27 11   4
Brigham Young Univ 5 (17-17,9-7 MWC)
Player                    AB  R  H RBI BB SO PO  A LOB
------------------------------------------------------
JACKSON, Doug lf.........  5  0  0  0   0  1  3  0   1
CHAMBERS, Ryan rf........  5  2  2  1   0  1  4  1   0
WIENS, Ranger ss.........  4  2  2  1   0  0  1  4   0
OBREY, Kainoa 3b.........  3  0  1  1   1  2  2  2   0
STUBBLEFIELD, Jake 1b....  4  0  0  0   0  2  8  1   2
JACOBSEN, Brock cf.......  4  1  1  0   0  0  0  1   0
CARSON, Clayton dh.......  4  0  0  0   0  1  0  0   0
WILKES, Adam c...........  3  0  1  0   0  1  7  0   0
 BARNES, Clayton ph......  1  0  0  0   0  1  0  0   0
 CLOWARD, Casey c........  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0   0
VEST, Wade 2b............  2  0  0  0   0  1  1  2   3
 ITRI, Rob ph............  1  0  0  0   0  0  0  0   0
MOUSSER, Jeff p..........  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0   0
 BERGERON, Michel p......  0  0  0  0   0  0  1  0   0
Totals................... 36  5  7  3   1 10 27 11   6
Score by Innings                    R  H  E
-------------------------------------------
New Mexico Lobos.... 031 020 000 -  6 11  1
Brigham Young Univ.. 102 100 100 -  5  7  1
-------------------------------------------
E - BARBA, Ryan; MOUSSER. DP - BYU Cougars 1. LOB - UNM 4; BYU Cougars 6. 3B
- WIENS. HR - SALAS, Joe(12); GRADY, Jeff(7); CHAMBERS(5); WIENS(3). HBP -
MADER, Josh; VEST. SB - MURRAY, Sean; JACOBSEN.
New Mexico Lobos       IP  H  R ER BB SO AB BF
-----------------------------------------------
VERMILYEA, J........  9.0  7  5  4  1 10 36 38
Brigham Young Univ     IP  H  R ER BB SO AB BF
-----------------------------------------------
MOUSSER, Jeff.......  5.0  9  6  6  1  3 23 25
BERGERON, Michel....  4.0  2  0  0  0  3 12 12
Win - VERMILYEA, J (5-1).  Loss - MOUSSER (4-4).  Save - None.
WP - VERMILYEA, J 2; BERGERON. HBP - by VERMILYEA, J (VEST); by MOUSSER (MADER,
Josh). PB - GRADY, Jeff 2.
Umpires - HP: Dan Perugini  1B: Mike Andrews  3B: Ruben Chavira
Start: 7:08 pm   Time: 2:31   Attendance: 1216
Game notes:
Game 1 of 3 in Provo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Play-by-Play
New Mexico Lobos at Brigham Young Univ - Play-by-Play
Apr 17, 2003 at Provo, Utah (Larry H.Miller Field)
Score by Innings                    R  H  E
-------------------------------------------
New Mexico Lobos.... 031 020 000 -  6 11  1
Brigham Young Univ.. 102 100 100 -  5  7  1
-------------------------------------------
New Mexico Lobos starters: 5/dh YOUNG, Matt; 8/ss YOUNG, Dusty; 17/lf
   MURRAY, Sean; 29/1b ALEXANDER, C; 10/rf SALAS, Joe; 4/3b MADER, Josh;
   21/cf LIZARRAGA, C; 15/c GRADY, Jeff; 6/2b BARBA, Ryan; 2/p VERMILYEA, J;
   Brigham Young Univ starters: 13/lf JACKSON; 22/rf CHAMBERS; 8/ss WIENS;
   32/3b OBREY; 33/1b STUBBLEFIELD; 3/cf JACOBSEN; 23/dh CARSON; 24/c
   WILKES; 5/2b VEST; 35/p MOUSSER;
New Mexico Lobos - inning 1
   YOUNG, Matt grounded out to 2b. YOUNG, Dusty struck out swinging. MURRAY,
   Sean grounded out to ss. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Brigham Young Univ - inning 1
   JACKSON grounded out to ss. CHAMBERS singled to left center. WIENS
   grounded out to ss; CHAMBERS advanced to second. OBREY singled up the
   middle, RBI; CHAMBERS scored. STUBBLEFIELD flied out to cf. 1 run, 2
   hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
New Mexico Lobos - inning 2
   ALEXANDER, C lined out to 2b. SALAS, Joe singled to left field. MADER,
   Josh flied out to lf. LIZARRAGA, C singled to catcher; SALAS, Joe
   advanced to third. GRADY, Jeff homered to left center, 3 RBI; LIZARRAGA,
   C scored; SALAS, Joe scored. BARBA, Ryan singled up the middle. BARBA,
   Ryan advanced to second on a throwing error by p. YOUNG, Matt flied out
   to rf. 3 runs, 4 hits, 1 error, 1 LOB.
Brigham Young Univ - inning 2
   JACOBSEN grounded out to p. CARSON grounded out to ss. WILKES singled up
   the middle. VEST struck out swinging. 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
New Mexico Lobos - inning 3
   YOUNG, Dusty struck out swinging. MURRAY, Sean singled up the middle.
   MURRAY, Sean stole second. ALEXANDER, C fouled out to 3b. SALAS, Joe
   singled to right field, advanced to second on the throw, RBI; MURRAY,
   Sean scored. MADER, Josh singled to center field; SALAS, Joe advanced to
   third, out at home cf to c. 1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Brigham Young Univ - inning 3
   JACKSON popped up to ss. CHAMBERS homered inside the park, RBI. WIENS
   tripled to left field. WIENS scored on a wild pitch. OBREY struck out
   looking. STUBBLEFIELD flied out to cf. 2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
New Mexico Lobos - inning 4
   LIZARRAGA, C flied out to lf. GRADY, Jeff struck out swinging. BARBA,
   Ryan singled up the middle. YOUNG, Matt flied out to lf. 0 runs, 1 hit, 0
   errors, 1 LOB.
Brigham Young Univ - inning 4
   JACOBSEN singled to center field. JACOBSEN stole second. JACOBSEN
   advanced to third on a wild pitch. CARSON struck out swinging. WILKES
   lined out to 2b; JACOBSEN scored on a throwing error by 2b, unearned.
   VEST hit by pitch. JACKSON popped up to 2b. 1 run, 1 hit, 1 error, 1 LOB.
New Mexico Lobos - inning 5
   YOUNG, Dusty flied out to rf. MURRAY, Sean grounded out to ss. ALEXANDER,
   C walked. SALAS, Joe homered to right field, 2 RBI; ALEXANDER, C scored.
   MADER, Josh hit by pitch. LIZARRAGA, C flied out to rf. 2 runs, 1 hit, 0
   errors, 1 LOB.
Brigham Young Univ - inning 5
   CHAMBERS out at first 1b to p. WIENS grounded out to 3b. OBREY struck out
   swinging. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
New Mexico Lobos - inning 6
   BERGERON to p for MOUSSER. GRADY, Jeff struck out looking. BARBA, Ryan
   grounded out to 2b. YOUNG, Matt struck out looking. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0
   errors, 0 LOB.
Brigham Young Univ - inning 6
   STUBBLEFIELD struck out swinging, reached first on a passed ball.
   JACOBSEN reached on a fielder's choice; STUBBLEFIELD out at second ss to
   2b. CARSON reached on a fielder's choice; JACOBSEN out at second 1b to
   ss. WILKES struck out swinging, reached first on a passed ball; CARSON
   advanced to second. VEST flied out to cf. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 2
   LOB.
New Mexico Lobos - inning 7
   YOUNG, Dusty flied out to rf. MURRAY, Sean struck out swinging.
   ALEXANDER, C grounded out to ss. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Brigham Young Univ - inning 7
   JACKSON grounded out to ss. CHAMBERS struck out looking. WIENS homered
   down the lf line, RBI. OBREY walked. STUBBLEFIELD struck out looking. 1
   run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
New Mexico Lobos - inning 8
   SALAS, Joe out at first 1b to p. MADER, Josh singled, out at second rf to
   ss. LIZARRAGA, C grounded out to 3b. 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Brigham Young Univ - inning 8
   JACOBSEN grounded out to 1b unassisted, bunt. CARSON flied out to rf.
   BARNES pinch hit for WILKES. BARNES struck out swinging. 0 runs, 0 hits,
   0 errors, 0 LOB.
New Mexico Lobos - inning 9
   CLOWARD to c for BARNES. GRADY, Jeff singled through the left side.
   GRADY, Jeff advanced to second on a wild pitch. BARBA, Ryan grounded into
   double play 3b to 1b; GRADY, Jeff out on the play. YOUNG, Matt grounded
   out to ss. 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Brigham Young Univ - inning 9
   ITRI pinch hit for VEST. ITRI grounded out to 2b. JACKSON struck out
   swinging. CHAMBERS grounded out to 2b. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.

Second place in the Mountain West Conference baseball standings will become clearer after this week's three-game series where BYU hosts New Mexico.

BYU, 17-16 overall and 9-6 in the league, is in a three-way tie for second place with this week's opponent New Mexico, 26-15 and 9-6, and San Diego State.

A highlight of this week's activity is the reunion for the 1983 BYU baseball team which was ranked No. 1 at the end of the regular season. On Saturday at 12:30 p.m., the 1983 team including former major league greats Cory Snyder and Wally Joyner will be available at Miller Park on the concourse level for autographs and pictures. The first 500 fans will receive a souvenir photograph of that team.

The current Cougars are now above .500 for the first time since being 1-0 and 1-1 to start the season.

Scheduled to start for BYU on the mound for the opener is Jeff Mousser (4 3, 4.50) in Thursday's game which begins at 7 p.m. On Friday, also at 7 p.m., Paul Jacinto (5-4, 4.12) will take the hill. On Saturday at 1 p.m., Ken Gravley (3-1, 4.70) is the probable starter.

For the first time this season, NCAA rankings are available. BYU's Doug Jackson is ranked third nationally in triples, Kainoa Obrey is ranked 13th in doubles. BYU's batting average of .322 was ranked 22nd in the NCAA and the Cougars were ranked 27th in average runs scored at 7.9.

UNM's Sean Murray is ranked 44th at .409 in batting average and Cory Lizarraga is ranked 50th at .405. UNM's Chris Alexander is ranked second nationally in doubles, third in RBI. Murray is ranked 11th in RBI and Dusty Young is 26th. Young is sixth in doubles. The Lobos .348 batting average is second nationally and they are also second in scoring.

The Lobos took two of three from BYU last month at Albuquerque and are fresh off a 13-11 victory over Texas Tech earlier this week. BYU has won 11 of its past 14 games.

All of the BYU-UNM games will be broadcast live over KOVO Radio 960 AM. Friday and Saturday's games can also be heard through links on the Internet at www.byucougars.com.