SAN JOSE, Calif. – It wasn’t the outcome they wanted to end the 2016 season on but the University of New Mexico softball team will end the season with a few highlights. The Lobos fell just short to San Josè State Saturday afternoon, falling 5-3. The Lobos finish the season 23-27 overall and 8-15 in the Mountain West.
The highlight of the day came in the third inning when senior Mariah Rimmer singled to right field. The single broke UNM’s career hit record. Before the game, she needed just one hit to become the top hits leader in the program.
It was a battle for the Lobos today. They were on the board in the first inning after a solo shot from junior Michala Erickson. She blasted her eighth home run of the season over the left field wall, giving the Lobos a 1-0 lead.
The lead didn’t last long as the Spartans scored three runs in the bottom of the inning. They took advantage of a Lobo error and an infield single to take a 3-1 lead over UNM.
The two teams went scoreless in the second but New Mexico rallied back to tie the game up in the third. Junior Shelbie Franc and Rimmer led off with back-to-back singles. Franc then scored on a dropped pop up by the Spartan shortstop. Rimmer tied the game up by scoring on a wild pitch.
Lobo starter Lauren Soles held off the Spartan offense, retiring the side for the next two innings of work. However the Spartans did get a rally going in the fifth, scoring two runs to take a 5-3 lead.
Soles came out in the sixth to a standing ovation for her career at New Mexico. She ended her four-year career by striking out SJSU.
The Lobos had a chance in the seventh to get a rally going. Franc led off by reaching base on a fielding error. Rimmer followed with a single, advancing D’Andra DeFlora, a pinch runner for Franc, to second. The early inning rally ended on a foul out and a double play.
At the plate, Rimmer led the Lobos with a 2-for-4 effort, including her 243rd career hit to break UNM’s career hits record. Erickson, Franc and senior Karissa Haleman each had a hit for the Lobos.
In the circle, Soles took the loss, finishing the season with a 6-8 record. She allowed five runs, one earned, off six hits while walking two and striking out two in five and two-thirds work. Fortner allowed three hits while walking two.
The Lobos conclude the 2016 season with a 23-27 overall record and finish 8-15 in the Mountain West.