TEMPE, Ariz. – The University of New Mexico softball team opened up the 2016 season with a 2-1 win over San Diego Friday night at the Tempe Sports Complex.
It was an exciting game as freshman Colette Robert registered her first career-win in her first career start. She went the distance and allowed one run off just six hits while striking out five.
“We had an outstanding performance in the circle from Colette,” said head coach Erica Beach. “She kept the San Diego hitters off balance and battled hard.
But the win wouldn’t have come without the offense.
Both teams were scoreless through the first three innings. Junior Jasmine Casados broke open the fourth frame to put the Lobos up 1-0. Redshirt freshman Jade Gray started off the inning with a double to right center. The next two batters popped up but Casados hit are hard infield single to score Gray from second.
“Our offense took a little time to make adjustments but when they did they started to put more barrel on the ball and we had some clutch hits.”
San Diego got on the board in the bottom of the sixth to tie the game up off a solo shot over the centerfield wall.But New Mexico responded in the top of the seventh as junior Michala Erickson bombed one over the left field fence with two outs, to take the 2-1 lead. Erickson’s homer is her 14th career homer.
San Diego didn’t get much going in their last chance, as Robert kept them off balance, making them lineout, strike out and pop out.
“Our defense played well and I’m very proud of the fight our girls showed.”
The Lobos improve to 1-0 on the season and will look to two more games Saturday, taking on Stanford at 2:30 p.m. MT and Cal Poly at 7:30 p.m. MT at the Tempe Sports Complex.