PROVO -- A strong outing in relief by Joshua Barrett couldn't make up for New Mexico's nine runs through five innings as the Lobos beat BYU 9-6 on Thursday.

Barrett (0-1) retired the final 11 batters in a row while striking out five and allowing only two hits after entering the game in the fifth inning. The freshman pitched five innings in relief of starter Patrick Wells (5-4) who lasted four innings and allowed seven runs on 10 hits in this fourth loss.

"(Barrett) pitched really well," said BYU head coach Vance Law. "Hopefully, this gives an indication to the rest of the staff that these guys can be pitched to."

The loss snapped a four-game Cougar winning streak as they fell to 19-26 and 9-10 in the Mountain West Conference. New Mexico improved to 19-23-1 and 15-7 while gaining a half game on first place UNLV. The Lobos now trail the Rebels by one game in the MWC standings.

After Chris Dabbs gave New Mexico a 5-1 lead in the third with a two-run shot to left, BYU came within one with three runs in the bottom of the inning. Brandon Taylor tripled in a run and scored on a double by Ben Saylor. Ranger Wiens knocked in the third run of the inning with a single.

A two-run single by Joe Salas in the fourth and two more Lobo runs in the fifth ended New Mexico's scoring run. Salas also picked up his fourth save, pitching a scoreless ninth while batting 1-for-5 with two RBI as the designated hitter.

"We played the first half uninspired," Law said. "I'm disappointed with the first four or five innings. I felt we played flat today.

"(New Mexico) swings the bat well. You look down their lineup and a lot of guys are hitting over .350. That shows they put the barrel on the ball. The have a lot of guys who don't just hit home runs but hit hard line drives."

Jason Fernandez (6-5) earned the victory, allowing six runs, only two earned, on 10 hits and striking out four in seven innings of work.

Ryan Chambers extended his hitting streak to eight games with a double in the seventh. Kory Knell, who left the game with a concussion after a collision at home plate in the fifth inning, Taylor and Saylor all had two hits in the game.

Nick Lemon (1-3, 5.04) is scheduled to get the start for BYU in game two of the three game series with New Mexico on Friday at 7 p.m. The Lobos will start Danny Ray Herrera (3-5, 4.88).

KOVO 960 AM will broadcast the game live. Live starts are also available. A link to the webcast can be found on BYU baseball's schedule page at www.byucougars.com.

New Mexico at Brigham Young Univ.
May 06, 2004 at Provo, Utah (Larry H.Miller Field)
New Mexico 9 (19-23-1,15-7 MWC)
Player                    AB  R  H RBI BB SO PO  A LOB
------------------------------------------------------
YOUNG cf.................  5  2  3  1   0  1  3  0   0
SPITALERI c..............  5  1  1  0   0  0  6  0   0
MADER ss.................  5  1  1  1   0  2  1  5   2
SALAS dh/p...............  5  0  1  2   0  1  0  0   0
MURRAY lf................  4  1  2  1   0  1  2  1   1
STOVALL 1b...............  3  1  0  0   1  0  8  1   1
DABBS rf.................  4  3  3  2   0  1  3  0   0
BARBA 2b.................  4  0  1  1   0  1  2  4   0
GRADY, T. 3b.............  2  0  0  1   1  0  1  0   0
FERNANDEZ p..............  0  0  0  0   0  0  1  2   0
 PACAS p.................  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0   0
Totals................... 37  9 12  9   2  7 27 13   4
Brigham Young Univ. 6 (19-26,9-10 MWC)
Player                    AB  R  H RBI BB SO PO  A LOB
------------------------------------------------------
CHAMBERS, Ryan cf........  5  1  1  0   0  0  5  0   0
KNELL, Kory lf...........  3  2  2  0   0  0  1  0   0
 BILLS, Kevin lf.........  2  0  1  1   0  0  0  0   0
TAYLOR, Brandon ss.......  5  1  2  1   0  2  3  2   1
HIESTAND, Jeff dh........  4  1  1  1   0  2  0  0   0
SAYLOR, Ben rf...........  4  1  2  2   0  0  0  0   1
WIENS, Ranger 3b.........  4  0  1  1   0  0  2  1   1
LAW, Tim 1b..............  4  0  1  0   0  0  8  0   1
CLOWARD, Casey c.........  4  0  1  0   0  0  5  3   1
VEST, Wade 2b............  4  0  0  0   0  1  3  4   1
WELLS, Patrick p.........  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  3   0
 BARRETT, Joshua p.......  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0   0
Totals................... 39  6 12  6   0  5 27 13   6
Score by Innings                    R  H  E
-------------------------------------------
New Mexico.......... 212 220 000 -  9 12  2
Brigham Young Univ.. 103 010 100 -  6 12  2
-------------------------------------------
E - MADER; FERNANDEZ; KNELL; WIENS. DP - BYU Cougars 1. LOB - New Mexico 4;
BYU Cougars 6. 2B - YOUNG; DABBS 2; CHAMBERS; KNELL; HIESTAND; SAYLOR. 3B -
TAYLOR. HR - DABBS(4). SF - GRADY, T.. SB - MADER. CS - YOUNG.
New Mexico             IP  H  R ER BB SO AB BF
-----------------------------------------------
FERNANDEZ...........  7.0 10  6  2  0  4 31 31
PACAS...............  1.0  1  0  0  0  0  4  4
SALAS...............  1.0  1  0  0  0  1  4  4
Brigham Young Univ.    IP  H  R ER BB SO AB BF
-----------------------------------------------
WELLS, Patrick......  4.0 10  7  6  1  2 22 23
BARRETT, Joshua.....  5.0  2  2  1  1  5 15 17
Win - FERNANDEZ (6-5).  Loss - WELLS (5-4).  Save - SALAS (4).
WP - FERNANDEZ. PB - CLOWARD.
Umpires - HP: Rich Padilla  1B: Tony Sender  3B: Jason Rogers
Start: 7:04 pm   Time: 2:33   Attendance: 1252
Game notes:
Game 1 of 3
Play-by-Play 
New Mexico at Brigham Young Univ. - Play-by-Play
May 06, 2004 at Provo, Utah (Larry H.Miller Field)
Score by Innings                    R  H  E
-------------------------------------------
New Mexico.......... 212 220 000 -  9 12  2
Brigham Young Univ.. 103 010 100 -  6 12  2
-------------------------------------------
New Mexico starters: 5/cf YOUNG; 9/c SPITALERI; 4/ss MADER; 10/dh SALAS;
   17/lf MURRAY; 34/1b STOVALL; 29/rf DABBS; 6/2b BARBA; 24/3b GRADY, T.;
   28/p FERNANDEZ;
Brigham Young Univ. starters: 22/cf CHAMBERS; 12/lf KNELL; 3/ss TAYLOR;
   16/dh HIESTAND; 25/rf SAYLOR; 8/3b WIENS; 1/1b LAW; 9/c CLOWARD; 5/2b
   VEST; 4/p WELLS;
New Mexico - inning 1
   YOUNG doubled to left field. SPITALERI out at first p to 2b to 1b; YOUNG
   advanced to third. MADER singled to center field, RBI; YOUNG scored.
   SALAS popped up to ss. MADER stole second. MURRAY singled through the
   left side, advanced to second on a throwing error by lf, RBI; MADER
   scored. STOVALL grounded out to p. 2 runs, 3 hits, 1 error, 1 LOB.
Brigham Young Univ. - inning 1
   CHAMBERS flied out to cf. KNELL singled to pitcher, advanced to second on
   a throwing error by p. TAYLOR singled to left field; KNELL advanced to
   third. HIESTAND out at first 2b to ss to 1b, RBI; TAYLOR advanced to
   second; KNELL scored, unearned. SAYLOR grounded out to 2b. 1 run, 2 hits,
   1 error, 1 LOB.
New Mexico - inning 2
   DABBS doubled down the rf line. BARBA singled through the left side;
   DABBS advanced to third. GRADY, T. fouled out to ss. YOUNG singled up the
   middle, RBI; BARBA advanced to second; DABBS scored. SPITALERI flied out
   to lf. MADER flied out to cf. 1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB.
Brigham Young Univ. - inning 2
   WIENS grounded out to p. LAW flied out to lf. CLOWARD singled to
   shortstop. VEST fouled out to 3b. 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
New Mexico - inning 3
   SALAS struck out swinging. MURRAY singled to center field. STOVALL flied
   out to cf. DABBS homered to left field, 2 RBI; MURRAY scored. BARBA
   grounded out to 3b. 2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Brigham Young Univ. - inning 3
   CHAMBERS grounded out to 2b. KNELL reached on a throwing error by ss.
   TAYLOR tripled to right center, RBI; KNELL scored, unearned. HIESTAND
   struck out swinging. SAYLOR doubled down the rf line, RBI; TAYLOR scored,
   unearned. WIENS singled to left field, RBI; SAYLOR scored, unearned. LAW
   reached on a fielder's choice; WIENS out at second ss to 2b. 3 runs, 3
   hits, 1 error, 1 LOB.
New Mexico - inning 4
   GRADY, T. walked. YOUNG singled up the middle; GRADY, T. advanced to
   second. SPITALERI reached on a fielder's choice; YOUNG advanced to
   second; GRADY, T. out at third p to 3b. MADER struck out swinging;
   SPITALERI advanced to second; YOUNG advanced to third on a passed ball.
   SALAS singled to center field, 2 RBI; SPITALERI scored, unearned; YOUNG
   scored. MURRAY reached on a fielder's choice; SALAS out at second 2b to
   ss. 2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Brigham Young Univ. - inning 4
   CLOWARD flied out to cf. VEST struck out looking. CHAMBERS grounded out
   to ss. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
New Mexico - inning 5
   BARRETT to p for WELLS. STOVALL walked. DABBS doubled to left center;
   STOVALL advanced to third. BARBA reached on a fielder's choice, RBI;
   DABBS advanced to third on a fielding error by 3b; STOVALL scored. GRADY,
   T. flied out to cf, SF, RBI; DABBS scored, unearned. YOUNG reached on a
   fielder's choice; BARBA out at second ss to 2b. YOUNG out at second c to
   2b, caught stealing. 2 runs, 1 hit, 1 error, 0 LOB.
Brigham Young Univ. - inning 5
   KNELL doubled to left field. TAYLOR flied out to rf. HIESTAND doubled to
   left field, advanced to third on the throw; KNELL advanced to third, out
   at home lf to ss to c. SAYLOR singled to left field, RBI; HIESTAND
   scored. WIENS flied out to cf. 1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
New Mexico - inning 6
   BILLS to lf for KNELL. SPITALERI singled to left field. MADER popped up
   to 3b. SALAS grounded into double play ss to 2b to 1b; SPITALERI out on
   the play. 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Brigham Young Univ. - inning 6
   LAW out at first 1b to p. CLOWARD grounded out to p, bunt. VEST lined out
   to ss. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
New Mexico - inning 7
   MURRAY struck out swinging. STOVALL flied out to cf. DABBS struck out
   swinging. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Brigham Young Univ. - inning 7
   CHAMBERS doubled to left center. CHAMBERS advanced to third on a wild
   pitch. BILLS grounded out to ss, RBI; CHAMBERS scored. TAYLOR struck out
   swinging. HIESTAND struck out swinging. 1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
New Mexico - inning 8
   BARBA struck out looking. GRADY, T. flied out to cf. YOUNG struck out
   swinging, out at first c to 1b. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Brigham Young Univ. - inning 8
   PACAS to p for FERNANDEZ. SAYLOR flied out to lf. WIENS flied out to rf.
   LAW singled to center field. CLOWARD flied out to rf. 0 runs, 1 hit, 0
   errors, 1 LOB.
New Mexico - inning 9
   SPITALERI grounded out to 2b. MADER struck out swinging, out at first c
   to 1b. SALAS grounded out to 1b unassisted. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0
   LOB.
Brigham Young Univ. - inning 9
   SALAS to p. /  for PACAS. VEST popped up to 2b. CHAMBERS grounded out to
   2b. BILLS singled to left field. TAYLOR struck out swinging. 0 runs, 1
   hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.

Aiming to move up the conference ladder, BYU takes on second place New Mexico in a three-game series at Larry H. Miller Field beginning Thursday.

Thursday and Friday's games begin at 7 p.m. with a noon start on Saturday.

The Cougars enter the series after winning four straight including a three-game sweep of Utah last week in Provo. BYU sits five games behind Mountain West Conference leader UNLV and 3 1/2 behind the Lobos with a 9-9 conference record and are 19-25 overall.

New Mexico ended the month of April in 1st place in the conference, but fell in the standings after losing two of three to San Diego State last week, dropping to 14-7 in the conference and 18-23-1 overall. Earlier this year in Albuquerque, the Lobos swept the Cougars in a three-game series. BYU is 61-38-1 all-time versus New Mexico and 4-6 in the last 10 meetings.

Once again, Patrick Wells (5-3, 5.53) is scheduled to start on Thursday and Nick Lemon (1-3, 5.04) on Friday with Saturday's starter to be determined. Against Utah last week, none of the starters received a decision with the bullpen recording all three victories.

Ryan Chambers enters the series carrying a hot bat. The junior outfielder comes in with a seven-game winning streak and has watched his batting average steadily increase to .278 and .366 in conference play. Against Utah, Chambers went 7-for-15 with six RBI, five runs scored and one home run. Largely responsible for Saturday's 14-9 win, Chambers finished with four RBI and went 4-for-6 in the final series game.

All three games will be broadcast live by KOVO 960 AM with veteran broadcaster Brent Norton calling the play-by-play. Saturday's broadcast is also available on the BYU Radio channel on DirecTV and the Dish Network as well as over the Internet. Live stats are available for all three games. Links to the webcasts and audiocast can be found on the BYU baseball's schedule page at www.byucougars.com.

A family pass for individual games is available for $60 to the general public or $50 for Cougar Club members or $30 to BYU students or employees. Individual Cougar Card prices are $30 to the general public or $20 for Cougar Club members or $15 to BYU students or employees through the Cougar Card option. Holders of these cards need to exchange tickets in advance the week of the game to obtain reserve tickets.

Individual game prices are $5 for adults or $4 students/BYU faculty or staff or $2 apiece for groups of 15 or more.