May 6, 2011
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The New Mexico softball team dropped an 8-3 decision to Brigham Young University Friday at Lobo Field. Lobo junior Jessica Garcia hit her career-high 13th home run of the season and tied the New Mexico single-season record for homers. UNM had seven hits in the loss, including two by junior Kerry Hodgins. The Lobos fell to 18-23 on the year and 4-7 in Mountain West play. BYU remained atop the league standings with a 35-15 overall mark and a 9-1 conference record.
BYU plated a run in the first inning and six runs in the second to take a big 7-0 lead.
Garcia made it 7-2 with a two-run homer to right field. She has five home runs in the last four games.
The Lobos plated another run in the home half of the sixth inning. Junior Danielle Castro had an RBI double down the left field line that plated Hodgins.
The Cougars added an insurance run in the top of the seventh to make it 8-3.
MW Pitcher of the Year candidate Paige Affleck pitched the complete game and improved to 23-10. Affleck had eight strikeouts and allowed three runs on seven hits.
Lobo sophomore Kari Gutierrez took the loss in the circle. Gutierrez gave up eight hits and 11 hits against BYU. She fell to 9-10 on the year.
BYU and New Mexico will play Saturday at 1 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on the MountainWest Sports Network. Gametracker will be available on GoLobos.com.