FRESNO, Calif. – The University of New Mexico softball team struggled offensively as it left 11 runners on base and only scored one run, dropping the first game against Fresno 7-1 Tuesday evening at Margie Wright Diamond.
The only run for the Lobos came in the top of the second inning as Karissa Haleman led off the inning by taking the first pitch of her at-bat over the left center fence, her fifth home run of the season. The solo shot cut the Fresno State lead to 2-1.
Fresno State got off to a hot start on the board after the Bulldogs shut down the Lobos in the top of the first inning. The Bulldogs took advantage of a Lobo error to reach base and later scored two off a double to right center.
After the Lobos got their one run across, the Bulldogs put together five more runs which included a three-run fourth inning.
New Mexico had chances which included three different innings where there were runners on third and had five different chances with runners at second.
Carrie Sheehan took the loss for the Lobos, dropping to 6-3 on the season. She allowed seven runs, five earned, off seven hits while walking three. Sheehan tied her season-high of six strikeouts.
At the plate, the Lobos pounded out just five hits which were combined by Brandi Heimburg and Haleman. Heimburg went 3-for-4 with a double and two singles. Haleman went 2-for-4 with a home run and a run scored.
UNM drops to 22-16 on the season and 6-4 in the Mountain West. Fresno State improves to 26-13 on the season and 7-1 in the MW. The two finish out the three-game series tomorrow with a doubleheader starting at 11 a.m. PT/noon MT. Live stats and a live stream will be available on GoLobos.com.