ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — It appeared the University of New Mexico softball team may have two come-from-behind victories up its sleeve Wednesday afternoon after the Lobos rallied from a 6-4 deficit in the sixth against UTEP – thanks to a go-ahead, three-run home run by D’Andra DeFlora – for a 7-6 victory in game one and rallied from a 4-1 deficit in game two with a three-run sixth inning to tie the game.
But UNM couldn’t quite finish the comeback in the second game as UTEP scored three in the seventh for a 7-4 Lobo loss as they walked away with a split with the Miners in their home-opening doubleheader at Lobo Field.
UNM (10-10 overall) made the dramatic comeback in game one, however, as the Lobos found themselves down to the Miners (5-15) 6-4 heading into the bottom of the sixth.
Michala Erickson led off the frame with an infield single before Shelbie Franc followed with another infield hit to put runners at first and second with one out.
That’s when DeFlora took a 2-0 pitch and deposited over the center field wall for a three-run home run to give UNM its first lead of the game at 7-6.
Krissy Fortner did the rest for UNM, getting a line out and a strikeout before UTEP’s Mallorie Cross singled, but took too long of a turn at first, got caught in a rundown and was tagged for the final out of the contest.
Fortner picked up the victory, going two innings and giving up no runs on two hits with three strikeouts. Tess McPherson got the start for UNM and went five innings and gave up six runs (five earned) on nine hits with four strikeouts and a walk.
Franc finished 3-for-4 for the Lobos at the plate with a run while Callie McGarrigle went 2-for-3 with a double, two RBI and a run and Erickson went 2-for-3 with a run.
In the second game, UNM found itself down 4-1 – again heading into the sixth inning. Jade Gray laced a one-out single up the middle to get the rally going in the sixth before Erickson hit a two-run homer to left to get the Lobos within one at 4-3.
That deficit didn’t last long as the next hitter Lauren Wilmert on a 1-0 count hit an opposite-field home run to right – raising her fists in the air as the ball hit the metal bleachers – to tie UNM with UTEP, 4-4.
The Lobos looked as if they may take the lead in that same sixth inning as a walk to Cheyenne Smith and a single by Franc put runners on first and second with two outs. But UNM struck out and the threat ended.
UTEP didn’t waste time, however, getting the lead back as Kiki Pepi hit a triple to right and scored on Cross’ sac fly to center field to take a 5-4 lead. A UNM error later in the inning led to a two-run double by UTEP’s Macey Brown to push the Miner lead to 7-4.
The Lobos went down in order in the seventh inning and finished the day with a split with UTEP.
Fortner also got the decision in game two, picking up the loss after going an inning in relief in the seventh and giving up three runs (one earned) on three hits with no strikeouts to move to 2-2 on the year. Jensen Main got the start for UNM, going six innings and giving up four runs on 10 hits with two strikeouts and three walks.
Franc went 2-for-3 for the Lobos with a run while Jasmine Casados was 2-for-4 with an RBI.
UNM will remain at home this weekend as they host the Lobo Classic from Friday through Sunday. The Lobos start play 1:30 p.m. Friday against Stony Brook.
Lobos nearly rally late twice, split with UTEP
