March 6, 2011
New Mexico – No. 5 Washington Game 3 Box Score
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The New Mexico softball team lost, 12-3, Sunday to No. 5 Washington at Lobo Field. The undefeated Huskies (16-0) completed the three-game series sweep Sunday with a run-rule victory in six innings. New Mexico had six hits in the game including a solo home run by junior Jessica Garcia. The Lobos fall to 6-6 on the season.
“I thought we competed well this weekend but we definitely have room for improvement,” said Lobo head coach Erica Beach. “Washington is an outstanding program and I felt like we played hard. This weekend was a great measuring stick. We knew we were capable of playing with Washington, and we showed that Saturday. We continue to grow as a team and get better. We know we have a lot to work on but this team has a great attitude.”
UNM had six different Lobos with hits. Junior Danielle Castro and Garcia had RBIs. Garcia was 4-for-10 during the three-game series with UW.
Washington brought its bats to the field Sunday. The Huskies opened the first inning with four consecutive hits including two home runs. UW’s Jenn Salling belted a solo homer to right center, and Morgan Stuart followed with a three-run shot down the right field line. After the top of the first inning, UW had a 4-0 advantage on the Lobos.
New Mexico cut the deficit to 4-1 in the bottom of first inning. Junior Danielle Castro crushed a run-scoring double to right center field. Freshman Chelsea Anaya scored on the play.
The Lobos wouldn’t go away and made it 4-2 Huskies in the bottom of the second. Junior Jessica Lujan-Dresslar walked and eventually scored on a heads up play. Lujan-Dresslar scored from third when the UW catcher mishandled a throw home.
Washington exploded for three more runs in the top of the third and UNM was quickly down 7-2. The Huskies plated all three runs with two outs. Kaitlin Inglesby belted a solo homer in the inning. UW had three home runs in the game.
In the top of the fifth inning, the Huskies added three more runs to reach the run-rule limit at 10-2. Washington had four hits in the inning including a double by Taylor Smith.
Garcia helped UNM avoid the run-rule with a solo homer to right center field. The home run was her team-leading third of the year.
Washington poured in two runs in the top of the sixth and held on for the 12-3 win in six innings.
New Mexico will return to action Wednesday with a doubleheader at Texas Tech. The games will be available via GameTracker on GoLobos.com.