PALM SPRINGS, Calif. – No. 25/23 Texas A&M scored five runs in the seventh to come-from-behind and defeat the University of New Mexico softball team 8-7 on Sunday afternoon on the final day of the Mary Nutter Classic.
“Colette pitched a great game,” said head coach Erica Beach. “…and we battled all game. We just need to be tougher in the seventh and not let them have the momentum.”
The Aggies started off the game with a 3-0 lead over the Lobos after the first inning, but the Lobo offense came alive in the second as they scored four runs to take a 4-3 lead.
With two outs, senior Lisa Rodrigues scored on a fielding error by the Aggies. Senior Mariah Rimmer then singled to left with bases loaded to score senior Karissa Haleman. Junior Jasmine Casados singled up the middle to score junior Shelbie Franc and freshman Cheyenne Smith.
Lobo freshman starter Colette Robert kept the Aggies off balance for the next five innings. Only one runner reached past second base in those five innings.
New Mexico put three more runs on the board in the fourth. Smith led off with an infield single and then scored on Casados’ single to right. Freshman Brooke Breland drew a walk and Rodrigues single but Breland and Casados both scored off an Aggie error.
The Lobos needed three outs heading into the bottom of the seventh but the ranked Aggies rallied to score five runs. The Lobos decided to change pitchers, going to sophomore Krissy Fortner but Texas A&M kept their rally going, scoring the go-ahead run on an aggressive play of going home on a throw to first off a dropped third strike.
Robert suffered the loss in the circle, dropping to 2-3 on the season. She allowed eight runs off 11 hits while striking out six and walking none in six innings of work. Fortner allowed just one hit in her two-thirds of an inning.
At the plate, Casados led the offense with a 2-for-4 effort. She tallied three RBIs and a run score. Smith and Haleman each pounded out two hits while Rodrigues finished with a hit, run scored and RBI.
“I’m proud of how they competed all weekend,” said Beach. “We won’t let one bad inning define this tournament for us. We can compete with anyone and I think this team understands that now.”
New Mexico finishes the weekend with a 3-2 record and are now 5-5 overall on the season. The Lobos will be on the road for the third straight weekend next week, traveling to the UC Davis Tournament to face South Dakota, Iowa State, Idaho State and UC Davis.