Walk-off Salas Single Wins it for Lobos
BOX SCORE (PDF) | PHOTO GALLERY
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — For the first time since April 4, 2014, The University of New Mexico Lobos topped the Fresno State Bulldogs on Thursday night with a two-run, walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh from junior Monica Salas. The 4-3 victory breaks Fresno State’s 11-win streak over UNM.
With the win, the Lobos improve to 9-24 on the season, 3-4 in Mountain West play, while Fresno State (17-15) is now 2-2 in league competition.
Sophomore Jensen Main started in the circle and pitched six effective innings before allowing three runs in the top of the seventh. She gave up just five hits in 6.1 innings and looked to be headed for her second career shutout before the Bulldogs rallied in the seventh. Senior Krissy Fortner closed out the final two outs in the top of the seventh with the Lobos down one to claim the win.
The Lobos were leading 2-0 heading into the top of the seventh before a one-out, two-RBI double off the wall from Fresno State’s Hayleigh Galvan. Galvan drove in second-baseman Miranda Rohleder, who led off with a double, and pinch-runner Dolly Stevens to tie it up, 2-2.
With just one out, Fresno State’s Rachel Minogue sent a shot to right center and junior D’Andra DeFlora dove for the catch. She got the ball in her glove, stopping it from heading to the wall, but the impact knocked it out and another run scored, giving the Bulldogs a 3-2 lead. Main was then replaced by Fortner who delivered a pair of fly outs to give UNM an opportunity to come back.
In the bottom of the frame, junior Sydney Townes led off with a hard single liner just past the Bulldog third baseman, followed by a walk from senior Chelsea Johnson. Coach Congleton substituted pinch-running freshman Sam Oliver for Johnson at first and Oliver and Townes advanced into scoring position on a well-placed sacrifice bunt toward first base from DeFlora.
With two outs and a pair of runners ready to score, Salas stepped to the plate and drilled a single up the middle that easily scored Townes. Oliver sped around the bases and slid for the victory, 4-3 Lobos.
After starting the season with just one hit in her first 18 games this season, Salas has registered 11 over the last 10.
BOT 7 | Salas with a WALK-OFF SINGLE to win it for the Lobos! #GoLobos pic.twitter.com/WkQKmGOJws
— UNM Softball (@UNMLoboSB) March 30, 2018
The Lobos’ first two runs came in the bottom of the second inning when sophomore Cameryn O’Grady blasted a two-out double to the left-field wall to score juniors Kasey Halleen and Aleyah Wilbon. Both had walked to reach the bases.
The Lobos also loaded the bases in the bottom of the fourth but two straight strikeouts prevented runs crossing the plate. Fresno State also threatened before the seventh, loading the bases in the first and in the fifth. Main worked out of both jams without allowing a run.
Fresno State freshman pitcher Danielle East takes the loss despite registering a career-high 13 strikeouts. Both teams finished the contest errorless in the field.
On the day, the Lobos outhit the Bulldogs 7-5. UNM’s seven hits came from seven different players including O’Grady, Townes, Johnson, Salas, Halleen, Wilbon and freshman Sydney Broderick. Broderick’s was a double that marked the second of her career.
UNM returns to action for the second game of the series on Friday, March 30 at 6 p.m. and game three will take place on Saturday, March 31 at 12 p.m. at Lobo Softball Field.