ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The University of New Mexico softball team built a 2-1 lead but it wasn’t enough to outlast No. 23 ranked Fresno State, dropping game two of the series 6-2 Saturday afternoon.
“Our offense needs to capitalize on scoring situations,” said head coach Erica Beach. “Their pitcher put a ton of our runners on and we didn’t get that clutch hit. We need to be able to put up more runs.”
After a scoreless first inning for both teams, Fresno State opened the scoring with a run in the second but the Lobos answered in the bottom of the third, taking a 2-1 lead.
In the third, freshman D’Andra DeFlora led off with a walk. She then advanced to second on junior Shelbie Franc’s walk. Freshman Cheyenne Smith loaded the bases with an infield bunt single before junior Michala Erickson singled up the middle to tie the game 1-1.
The Lobos took the lead on senior Mariah Rimmer’s ground out to the second baseman, scoring Franc from third to take a 2-1 lead.
Freshman Colette Robert and the Lobo defense held off the Bulldogs the next two innings, holding their 2-1 lead until the sixth inning.
Fresno State tied it up in the sixth off an RBI single down the right field line. Then a two-run shot straight over the center field wall gave them the lead for good.
The Bulldogs brought in their ace Jill Compton to finish off the game. They also added two more runs in the seventh to extend their lead to 6-2.
“We had a couple miscues on defense and in the circle,” Beach said. “Colette threw a strong game but she made a couple costly mistakes that they got some runs on. Overall, she threw strong and had a great presence on the mound.”
The Lobos didn’t get much offense going after their two-run third as they only pounded out three hits for the game. They draw five walks but left seven on base for the game.
At the plate, Smith, Erickson and DeFlora each had a hit while DeFlora and Franc scored a run.
Robert took the loss in the circle, dropping to 8-7 on the season. She allowed six runs off 12 hits while walking two and striking out one. Kamalani Dung claimed the win for Fresno State to remain undefeated at 5-0. Compton garnered the save, her second of the season.
The Lobos drop to 18-16 on the season and 3-5 in the Mountain West. Fresno State is now 26-9-1 overall and still undefeated in MW play at 8-0. The two will meet tomorrow for the series finale at noon.