HOUSTON, Texas – The University of New Mexico started the day of the Hilton Houston Plaza Classic off on the right foot with a 6-2 win over Texas A&M Corpus Christi but dropped its second game 12-4 in six innings to Illinois Friday.
Game one got off to a quick offensive start for the Lobos. Senior Brandi Heimburg led the game off with a single to left center. On the next play, Heimburg advanced to second on sophomore Shelbie Franc’s sacrifice bunt. Sophomore Jasmine Casados walked and freshman Chelsea Johnson followed with her third home run on the season, a blast over the left center wall.
One pitch in the fourth cut the 3-0 lead to a 3-2 lead after the Islanders put on over left off starter Lauren Soles.
But the Lobos’ offense didn’t stop at three runs. UNM put one across in the fourth inning after junior Lisa Rodrigues put her first career home run over the center field wall.
Two more runs were plated in the sixth as Rodrigues led off the inning with a double down the left field line. Rehanna Little came into pinch run for Rodrigues and scored on Casados’ two out single. On the next play, Casados fooled the Islanders as she went to steal second. The Islanders’ catcher threw down and Heimburg broke for home, scoring the final run of the game.
In 5.1 innings of work, Soles allowed two runs on four hits while walking five and striking out four. Krissy Fortner came in to relieve Soles in the sixth with one out. She allowed one hit to earn her third save on the season. The save brings her to second in UNM history for most saves in a single season.
Heimburg, Mariah Rimmer, Rodrigues all had two hits apiece while Johnson’s blast plated three runs.
Game to the Lobos got on the board early again and kept Illinois hitless through three innings.
Heimburg led off the game with a double to center field and later scored on a bases-loaded walk by Johnson.
In the third, Johnson put her second home run of the day over the left field wall which gave the Lobos a 3-0 lead heading to the fourth inning.
But the 3-0 lead wasn’t enough as Illinois started to get to starting pitcher Rodrigues. Illinois plated four runs in the four and one in the fifth before the Lobos added another run in the sixth.
Rimmer started the sixth off with a single through the left side. With one out, Mia Hignojos was walked, advancing Rimmer to second. The next pitch was wild, moving the two up a base and another wild pitch scored Rimmer.
The Lobos put in reliever Krissy Fortner but Illinois was able to catch on quickly to her strategy. The Illini also caught on quick to final pitcher Tess McPherson as she allowed five runs on four hits while walking two.
Rodrigues suffered the loss in the circle, allowing five runs off five hits. She walked one and struckout three.
Casados led the Lobos at the plate, going 2-for-3 with one run scored. Johnson picked up three RBIs while Rimmer and Heimburg each had a hit.
The Lobos drop to 6-7 on the season and continue the Hilton Houston Plaza Classic tomorrow with a single game against Illinois. The Lobos were supposed to play against Houston but that game was moved up. Live stats are available on the GoLobos.com softball schedule. First pitch will