MT. PLEASANT, S.C. – The University of New Mexico softball team claimed its 16th victory of the season behind a dominant pitching performance by Krissy Fortner. The Lobos beat Wisconsin 3-1 on Sunday morning to finish off the College of Charleston Invitational 4-1.
Fortner, in just her second start for the Lobos, held Wisconsin hitless through the first two innings and scoreless through the first four innings. She allowed just one run in the fifth and used a five-pitch inning in the sixth to keep the Badgers at one run.
“Krissy hasn’t started many games for us,” said head coach Erica Beach. “She has predominantly been a closer for us but she came in an pitched a great game.”
In her first complete game, Fortner allowed six hits while striking out three and walking four. Her three wins on the season have come against all Big 10 teams, including Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin.
But IT wasn’t just Fortner who held off Wisconsin throughout the game. The Lobos defense also played a part in getting the win. The Lobos got out of the fifth inning ofF a fly out double play by Gabrielle Stacey and Karissa Haleman. In the seventh, Wisconsin loaded the bases but the Lobos defense kept them from scoring.
“Our defense had a great game and really kept us in there. We had a lot of tight situations but our defense stepped up and made the plays when we need them.”
New Mexico’s bats were off to a hot start in the first inning, making it the third straight game the Lobos have scored in the first inning. Mariah Rimmer doubled to left to score Shelbie Franc. With two outs, Haleman singled in the infield to score Rimmer for a 2-0 Lobo lead heading to the second inning.
“We got to that first pitcher quickly. They did really well and when we didn’t score later in the game our girls competed in every at-bat.”
One more run came across for the Lobos in the second when Stacey singled with one out. She advanced on Michala Erickson’s sac bunt and scored on Heimburg’s double to left field.
The Lobos’ bats were quiet for the rest of the game but defense and pitching made the difference in the end.
Heimburg and Haleman each went 2-for-3 at the plate with an RBI. Rimmer went 2-for-4 with a run scored while Stacey went 1-for-1 with a walk and a run scored.
The Lobos improve to 16-12 on the season. The 16th win matches the 16 win mark from last year’s final record of 16-36. The Lobos will look to continue the winning momentum this weekend as they open conference play on the road at Utah State.