Feb. 12, 2011
New Mexico – Utah Valley Box Score Game 1
New Mexico – Utah Valley Box Score Game 2
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The University of New Mexico softball team swept Utah Valley Saturday in a doubleheader to open the 2011 season. The two victories started the Erica Beach era in exciting fashion at Lobo Field. UNM run-ruled the Wolverines, 10-2, in five innings during game one and won game two, 7-2. The Lobos had 21 hits in two games and opened the season 2-0 for the first time since 2001.
“I can’t express how excited I am for the ladies to play well today,” said Beach. “They have worked extremely hard over the last seven months and it feels good to execute on game day. We played hard today and more importantly we had fun playing the game.”
Lobo junior Kerry Hodgins started both games in centerfield and went 5-for-6 at the plate. Hodgins had five RBIs during the twin bill with two runs scored, a triple and a stolen base. She was impressive at the plate but also showed great confidence and ability in the outfield.
UNM hit the first home run of the year in game one. Junior Jessica Garcia belted a two-run homer to right center in the bottom of the first inning. It was her second career home run. She went 4-for-6 during the doubleheader.
UNM showed much improvement in the circle. Sophomores Kari Gutierrez (1-0) and Kaela DeBroeck (1-0) both threw complete games Saturday. Guiterrez shined in game one and only gave up two runs on four hits. DeBroeck went the distance in the second game, allowing seven hits and a pair of runs.
Utah Valley scored first in game one, when they jumped out to an early 1-0 lead. The lead would be short lived, after New Mexico came out swinging. The Lobos poured on four runs in the bottom of the first inning and next looked back. UNM had five hits in the first, including the home run by Garcia.
After the first inning, the game settled into a pitching duel until the fifth inning. The Wolverines hit a solo home run to cut the Lobo lead down, 4-2. New Mexico sealed the win in the bottom of the fifth inning with six runs and reached the run-rule limit.
UNM racked up seven hits in the final inning of game one. The Lobos put together a string of five hits including three extra base knocks.
The Lobos had four student-athletes have multiple hits in game one. Junior Danielle Castro was 3-for-3 with two runs and two RBIs. Garcia, Hodgins and Shenise Cox all had a pair of hits and RBIs.
UVU opened game two similar to the first with a run in the opening inning. New Mexico never hesitated and quickly responded. The Lobos put together a two-out rally that plated three runs and held a 3-1 advantage after one inning of play.
Hodgins extended the Lobos lead to 4-1 with an RBI triple in the third inning. Hodgins lined a triple to right field and easily raced around the bases. Sophomore Stefanie Carramusa was able to score on the shot by Hodgins.
The Lobos added two more runs in the fourth and extended their lead to 6-1. UNM took advantage of back-to-back walks by sophomore Sherly Guillermo and junior transfer Kaity Ingram in the inning. True freshman Chelsea Anaya belted an RBI double and UNM scored a run on a Carramusa ground out.
Both teams plated a run in the fifth inning. That would be the last of the scoring, as UNM held on for a 7-2 victory.
Hodgins was 3-for-3 in game two with three RBIs. Garcia was 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored. Ingram, Anaya and Carramusa each had a hit in the second game.
The series finale with Utah Valley is Sunday at noon.