ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The University of New Mexico softball team got out to a quick 5-0 lead in the first but ended up falling to San Josè State 7-6 on Friday afternoon. The Lobos are now 20-21 on the year and 6-10 in the Mountain West.
“We got out to a lead but we have to hold the lead,” said head coach Erica Beach. “We let them back in and chipped away the whole game. We have to keep our foot on the gas pedal the whole game.”
The Lobos jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first inning. The Lobos used five hits, including an RBI double from Jasmine Casados, a two-run home run from Chelsea Johnson and a two-run home run from Doris Smith.
After a scoreless second for both teams, San Josè State was on the board with a run off a sacrifice fly. But the Lobos answered with another run, taking a 6-1 lead into the fourth inning. Shelbie Franc hit a long fly ball to outfield which allowed Jordan Gelfand, who pinch ran for Johnson, to score.
The Spartans began to keep chipping away on Tess McPherson and the Lobos. Beach made a pitching change, going to Krissy Fortner. They scored two runs in the fourth and fifth innings and tied the game up in the sixth off a throwing error by the Lobos.
In the seventh, the Lobos made another pitching change, going to Marissa Bethke after to the first two runners of the inning reached base. The Spartans took a 7-6 lead after scoring on a wild pitch.
The Lobos battled in the bottom half of the inning. Callie McGarrigle came in to pinch hit and led off with a single. With two outs, Michala Erickson singled to center and Franc loaded the bases by reaching on an error. Cheyenne Smith battled to a 3-2 count but ended up fouling out to right field.
Fortner took the loss for the Lobos falling to 5-4 on the year. She allowed one run, unearned, on three hits in an inning of work. McPherson allowed six runs, five earned, on eight hits, while striking out three in five innings.
At the plate, the Lobos pounded out 11 hits. Casados, D. Smith and Erickson each had two hits. Johnson and D. Smith each finished with two RBIs.
The Lobos will look to even the series on Saturday with San Josè State. The game will start at 1 p.m. Fans are encouraged to follow @UNMSoftball on Twitter as weather could be a factor for Saturday’s game. A live stream and live stats will be available.