LAS VEGAS, Nev. – The Lobo softball team struggled to get offense going in its first two games of the Wilson DeMarini Desert Classic. The Lobos dropped both games with the first loss coming from No. 12/10 UCLA 16-0 and the second to Cal State Northridge 3-2.
The day started off with a top-ranked opponent in UCLA. The Lobos had a hard time getting offense started. UCLA scored in every inning to claim the game in five innings.
The Lobos did threaten the Bruins in the fourth inning when sophomore Jasmine Casados recorded the first hit of the game for the Lobos, a single to right field. Junior Mariah Rimmer singled through the left side and advanced Casados to third.
New Mexico was also able to put some runners on base as senior Brandi Heimburg was hit-by-a-pitch and sophomore Shelbie Franc walked.
But that was it until the second game of the day.
Against Cal State Northridge, the Matadors were on the board in the first inning. But the Lobos broke open their scoring in the third inning.
With one out, Heimburg single up the middle. Franc followed with a single to center field and Casados singled to left to load the bases. Rimmer singled through the left side to score Heimburg but the left fielder bobbled the ball, giving Franc an extra base and a 3-1 lead for the Lobos.
CSUN, who beat No. 16 Arizona State last week, started to get to starting pitcher Lauren Soles and the Lobos, scoring two runs in the top of the fourth on two Lobo errors. Head coach Erica Beach made the switch to Krissy Fortner and she held the Matadors scoreless the rest of the game.
The Lobos couldn’t get any timely hitting together the rest of the game, falling 3-2.
On the day, Rimmer went 2-for-4 with an RBI. Franc finished 2-for-5 on the day while Casados finished 2-for-7. Lisa Rodrigues suffered her first loss in the circle in the first game. Soles took the loss in game to to bring her record to 2-1.
The Lobos continue their journey in Las Vegas tomorrow with match ups against Utah Valley and Indiana. First game will being at 3:45 p.m. PT/4:45 p.m. MT with the second game following. Follow along via Twitter with @UNMSoftball.