LOGAN, Utah – The University of New Mexico softball team used four home runs to claim a 9-5 victory over MW leader Utah State Saturday afternoon. The Lobos are now 20-19 on the year and 6-8 in the Mountain West.
“It was great to see the offense break out in a big way,” said head coach Erica Beach. “Jensen gave us a solid performance in the circle and this was a great team win.”
It was DeFlora’s bat that sparked the Lobos offense Saturday, as she went yard twice, giving the Lobos five runs. Her first bomb of the day came in the third inning, a three-run shot over the center field wall, scoring Chelsea Johnson and Cheyenne Smith. The second bomb came in the fifth, a two-run shot over center field.
Utah State made a pitching change after DeFlora’s second home run but that didn’t mean much to the Lobos as Michala Erickson blasted out a two-run home run, scoring Wilmert. The two-run shot from Erickson lifted the Lobos to a 7-2 lead.
The Aggies to their two runs in the third off Lobo starter Jensen Main, as they answered DeFlora’s first home run of the game.
Another home run for the Lobos came in the sixth. Johnson ripped one over the left field wall, giving the Lobos a 9-2 lead.
The Aggies answered Johnson’s home run by bring in three runs of their own in the sixth to cut the Lobos lead to 9-5.
Main pitched tough in the seventh to hold off Utah State’s offense. She allowed just one single and two base runners. The win brought her record to 7-6 on the year. She allowed five runs, three earned, off nine hits, while striking out three.
At the plate, Johnson finished with a 3-for-4 effort with two doubles and a home run. DeFlora finished with five RBIs.
The Lobos will look to the rubber match tomorrow against the Aggies. First pitch will be at noon and will stream live on the Mountain West Network. Live stats will also be available.