Lobos Fall to UNLV in Wild-Weathered Finale
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — It took The University of New Mexico softball team two hours and 33 minutes to complete a five-inning series finale against UNLV on Sunday afternoon after a 50-minute weather delay at Lobo Softball Field. UNM fell 9-1 on the day as wind gusts reached above 30 miles per hour with rain, dust and snow blowing through the field.
Sophomore Jensen Main started in the circle for the Lobos pitching 2.0 innings and allowing five runs, three earned, on five hits over the first three innings. Freshman Alexis Ruel entered in relief in the top of the third and finished allowing four runs on five hits in 3.0 innings. Main takes the loss and falls to 4-9 on the season.
UNLV opened the game in the first inning with three runs on three hits before adding two more in the top of the third. UNLV’s Reina Bondi led off in the top of the third, reached base on error and scored on an RBI single from catcher Brooke Stover three batters later. Following the single and the run, Ruel entered the game.
The second run of the inning scored on a one-out, sacrifice fly to junior Sydney Townes in right field, driving in second baseman Justine Federe, who had reached on a single and advanced to second on another Lobo error.
The Lobos had just one hit over the first four innings, a lead-off single up the middle by freshman Andrea Howard in the second. After UNLV had jumped out to a 5-0 lead after three, the Lobos held the Runnin’ Rebels in the top of the fourth. UNM retired three straight batters in the frame capped by a well-executed double play.
Lead-off hitter Jade Yadao-Valdez opened the fourth with a single down the left line and advanced to second on a wild pitch. She was followed by a fly out to make it one out with a runner on before Townes caught the second out in right field. She turned and fired to sophomore Cameryn O’Grady at short to tag out Yadao-Valdez at second for the third out.
The Lobo defensive momentum was broken when the Albuquerque weather got out of hand, blowing tumbleweeds, hail, snow and dust onto the field. The umpires stopped the game and a 50-minute delay ensued midway through the fourth.
With all parties agreeing to try to get in a full five innings, UNLV made its way onto the field and the Lobos went back to the plate for the bottom of the fourth. Three straight Lobos were retired and UNLV tacked on four more runs in the top of the fifth on four hits and no errors, 9-0 UNLV.
The Lobos scored their lone run in the bottom of the fifth, the final inning of the game due to excessive wind.
Junior Monica Salas led off with a single to right field, UNM’s second hit of the day, and advanced to second on a wild pitch. She was followed by freshman Sydney Broderick who reached on a UNLV error putting Lobos on first and second.
With two outs, freshman Sam Oliver hit the ball to shortstop Samantha Diaz. After a failed attempt at a play at second base on Broderick, UNLV’s Diaz fired home, but overthrew her catcher allowing Salas to score, 9-1.
The Lobos were outhit 10-2 on the day, led by Howard and Salas with the only two UNM hits and an RBI by Oliver. The contest wraps up a three-game series which UNLV takes 2-1.
UNM is set to return to action when it hosts New Mexico State on Wednesday, March 21, for a single game starting at 5:30 p.m.