DAVIS, Calif. – The University of New Mexico softball team fell behind 2-0 after the top half of the first inning but made a comeback to beat South Dakota 3-2 on the first day of the UC Davis Tournament.
A two-run home run in the top half of the first inning put the Lobos behind early 2-0 but that was all South Dakota got as it put up blanks the rest of the way.
After just a single by senior Mariah Rimmer in the bottom half of the first, the Lobos finally manufactured some offense in the bottom of the second. Senior Lisa Rodrigues led off with a walk while junior Michala Erickson followed with a single to center. The two advanced on freshman Cheyenne Smith’s bunt single which loaded the bases for junior Shelbie Franc. Franc took advantage of the full pond as she singled to the infield to cut the deficit to one run, Lobos trailing 2-1.
The Lobo offense was quiet for the next three innings but effective pitching in the circle for the Lobos and solid defense kept South Dakota from getting any more runs across. South Dakota did threat in the top of the sixth but sophomore Krissy Fortner came in to shut down the Coyotes.
New Mexico took advantage of South Dakota’s blanks and put together a two-run sixth inning to take a 3-2 lead. Smith started off the inning with an infield single to the shortstop. She then advance to second on Franc’s sacrifice bunt and went to third on a passed ball. Rimmer walked and freshman McKenzie Walsh walked to load the bases up for junior Jasmine Casados. Casados was hit by a pitch to score Smith for an RBI and tie the game up at 2-2.
The Lobos next run was manufactured on the next batter as freshman Brooke Breland drew a bases-loaded walk to score Rimmer and take a 3-2 lead.
South Dakota threatened in the top of the seventh. With two outs, the Coyotes hit back-to-back singles but Fortner shut down the final batter, forcing her to fly out to center.
Fortner earned the win in the circle for the Lobos to improve to 1-1 on the season. In 1.2 innings of work, she allowed just two hits. Soles allowed two runs off six hits while walking two in 5.1 innings of work.
At the plate, the Lobos were led by Smith as she went 3-for-3 at the plate with a run scored. Rimmer, Erickson and France each pounded out a hit while Casados, Breland and France each picked up an RBI.
The Lobos are now 6-5 on the season and will return to the diamond tomorrow to take on Iowa State at 9:45 a.m. MT and Idaho State at 11 a.m. MT. Live stats are available on GoLobos.com.