ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The University of New Mexico softball team arguably had its best day of the season thus far and one of the best days in the Coach Erica Beach era as the Lobos downed No. 23 ranked Nebraska 6-3 and used walk-off fashion to defeat DePaul 8-6 in 10 innings on Saturday afternoon at the Easton Tournament.
“I am so proud of our team for today’s performance,” said Beach. “We preached about finishing games to them after yesterday and they rose to the challenge. There was incredible maturity shown by our team to beat two quality opponents. Jasmine and Mariah were amazing at the plate today and I’m very proud of our quality of pitching this weekend.”
For the first time since the 2013 season, the Lobos captured a win over a nationally ranked opponent, defeating No. 23 Nebraska . The last time they beat a Top 25 team was on March 14, 2013 against No. 23 Oregon State.
New Mexico got on the board early in the first as freshman Cheyenne Smith scored of junior Jasmine Casados’ single to left. Nebraska responded with a run in the second and third but the Lobos tied it back up, 2-2 as Casados scored on a wild pitch.
The two teams went scoreless in the fourth, as Lisa Rodrigues came in to replace Tess McPherson in the circle. the Lobos picked up their offense in the fifth scoring four runs to take a 6-2 lead. Freshman D’Andra DeFlora single to left and scored off Casados single to center. Jade Gray followed with a single and later scored off a Karissa Haleman double down the left field line, which also score Michala Erickson, who reached earlier on a throwing error.
Nebraska tried to make a comeback in the sixth as they scored one run. The Huskers also threatened in the seventh loading the bases. The first Husker singled but the Lobos went to closer Krissy Fortner to close out the game. She allowed a single and walked the next batter to load the bases but she forced the next three batters to pop up, strikeout and fly out to earn her fourth save of the season and ninth career save.
Fortner now owns the all-time career record for saves with nine. She owns the single-season record for saves with five coming last season.
Rodrigues claimed the win in the circle, her first of the season. She is now 1-0 on the season. She allowed one run off three hits while walking four and striking out one. Fortner allowed just one hit and struck out one.
Game two was just as exciting as it came down to the wire. Casados kept her power hitting going as she hit a three-run bomb in the bottom of the 10th to defeat DePaul. DeFlora was place on second as they went to the international tiebreaker. Mariah Rimmer singled as Casados followed with the homer.
But it wasn’t easy throughout the game as the Lobos and the Demons went scoreless through the first three innings. DePaul got on the board first, scoring two runs in the fourth off senior Lauren Soles. The Lobos made a pitching change, going to freshman Colette Robert to get out of the inning.
New Mexico cut the deficit to one run in the bottom of the fourth, scoring DeFlora off a Rimmer double. The Lobos tied it up in the sixth as Rimmer scored off Casados’ double which ended up sending the game into extras.
DePaul responded with two runs in the eighth but the Lobos plated two of their own to tie it up at 4-4.
The two teams each put a run up in the ninth and DePaul put a run up in the 10th but Casados’ three run bomb secured the win.
Fortner earned the win in the circle to improve to 2-1 on the season. She allowed no runs off no hits. Robert allowed four runs, none earned, off eight hits while walking one and striking out one.
For the day, Casados went 5-for-7 at the plate with three runs scored a home run and a double for six RBIs. She finiahed the day with 1.286 slugging percentage and a .778 on-base percentage. Rimmer went 6-for-9 at the plate with a double, a triple and two RBIs and two runs scored.
The Lobos are now 15-10 on the season. They finish up the Easton Tournament tomorrow with a matchup with tournament host Cal State Fullerton at 1:30 p.m. MT.