Isotopes, Lobos to meet in exhibition

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- For the fourth straight year, the Albuquerque Isotopes and the University of New Mexico Lobos will square off in an exhibition game on Tuesday, April 1 at Isotopes Park, with first pitch scheduled for 6:05 PM. All tickets, which are on sale now, are $5 general admission seats, $3 for UNM students, faculty and staff, with all net proceeds benefiting the Lobo baseball program.

The Isotopes and Lobos will play a seven-inning game with wooden bats. If the game is deadlocked after seven frames, it will be declared a tie. Tickets will be sold exclusively at the Isotopes Park Box Office, which is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and on Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. In case of inclement weather, all tickets for the exhibition can be redeemed for tickets to any Lobos regular season home game at Isotopes Park. The game will also be carried on 610 The Sports Animal with the voice of the Isotopes Robert Portnoy, calling the action.

The Isotopes prevailed in last year's exhibition 8-2 while also emerging victorious 6-2 in 2006, and winning 17-4 in the two teams' first meeting in 2005. The Lobos squared off against the Albuquerque Dukes 22 times dating back to 1942. The Dukes owned a 19-3 advantage in the all-time series, including a 3-2 victory in the last meeting on April 8, 1986. The Lobos won 8-5 on April 11, 1978 and twice in 1942.

The 2008 Isotopes regular season begins on April 3, with the home opener slated for April 11, when the 'Topes host the Oklahoma RedHawks, Triple-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers. Tickets can be purchased at Isotopes Park or any Ticketmaster outlet, www.ticketmaster.com, or Ticketmaster by Phone 505-883-7800. For more information on individual game tickets, season tickets, or mini-plans, visit www.albuquerquebaseball.com or call 505-924-2255.