TEMPE, Ariz. – It wasn’t the best day for the University of New Mexico softball team as it dropped the final two games of the Kajikawa Classic. The day started out with an 11-1 loss in five innings to Oregon State and finished with a 15-6 five inning loss to No. 18 Kentucky. The Lobos are now 2-3 after the first weekend of play.
Not much offense came on the Lobo side in the first game against Oregon State as the only run came off senior Karissa Haleman’s first home run of the season, a shot over the centerfield wall. The Lobos only pounded out one other hit, coming from freshman D’Andra DeFlora.
The Lobos were close in the fourth on getting something going. DeFlora singled to start off the inning. The next two went down in order but junior Jasmine Casados drew a walk, sending DeFlora to second. But a strikeout ended the rally for the Lobos.
In the circle, freshman Colette Robert started her second career game. She allowed 10 runs off 13 hits, while striking out three and walking two in 3.2 innings of work. Junior Tess McPherson came in as relief and allowed one run off two hits in a third of an inning.
New Mexico’s offense picked up the second game against No. 18 ranked Kentucky. The Lobos were down 8-0 going into the bottom of the third before the bats exploded.
Four straight singles from senior Mariah Rimmer, DeFlora, freshman Jade Gray and Casados put the first two runs on the board. Sophomore Chelsea Johnson then reached on a fielder’s choice. Haleman followed with a three-run bomb over center, her second of the day and eighth career homer.
The Wildcats responded with four in the top of the fourth to take a 12-5 lead. The Lobos put together one more run in the fourth off an RBI single from Haleman that scored Johnson.
Kentucky put together more insurance runs in the fifth to cap its scoring, leading 15-6.
In the circle, sophomore Krissy Fortner made her first start of the season. She allowed eight runs off eight hits while striking out one in 2.2 innings of work. McPherson came in as relief once again. She allowed seven runs off seven hits in 2.1 innings of work.
On the day, Haleman led the Lobos. She went 4-for-5 at the plate with two home runs, four RBIs, a double and two runs scored.
The Lobos are now 2-3 on the season. They will be on the road next weekend, heading to the Mary Nutter Classic to take on Arkansas, Loyola Marymount, Bethune-Cookman, Pacific and Texas A&M. Live video will be available. Visit GoLobos.com for more information.