ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The University of New Mexico softball team dropped game one against Colorado State, 12-2 in six innings Friday at the Lobo Softball Field. The Lobos are now 16-13 on the season and 2-2 in the Mountain West.
After a scoreless first inning for both teams, Colorado State was the first to get on the scoreboard, putting up two runs in the second. Three more runs for the Rams came across in the third and one more in the fourth before the Lobos responded.
The Lobos put up one run in the fourth after Cheyenne Smith led off the inning with a single, which broke up CSU’s Kaylynn Pierce’s no-hitter. Johnson followed an out later with a single to center field, scoring Smith from second.
Marissa Bethke came in to the circle in the third inning, replacing Lobo starter Tess McPherson but the Rams continued to score runs, scoring two in the fifth and four in the sixth to force the mercy rule on the Lobos.
The Lobos did get one more run across the board in the fifth. D’Andra DeFlora capitalized on a bad throw by the Rams’ first baseman.
New Mexico only pounded out four hits on the day, coming from Smith (2), Johnson and Michala Erickson. Johnson finished with the only RBI of the game.
In the circle, McPherson took the loss, dropping to 8-6 on the year. She allowed five runs, four earned, off seven hits, while striking out three and walking one. Bethke allowed seven runs, five earned, off four hits, while striking out three and walking two in 3.1 innings of work.
The Lobos will look to rebound Saturday as they face CSU for game two of the three game series. First pitch will be at 1 p.m. and the game will air on the Mountain West Network.