ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Senior Michala Erickson hit a two-run bomb in the seventh to bring the University of New Mexico softball team within one, but it wasn’t enough to outlast Rio Grande Rival New Mexico State, falling 7-6 Tuesday evening. The Lobos are now 20-24 on the year.
After two scoreless innings, New Mexico State put two on the board off Lobo starter Krissy Fortner in the third. But the Lobos answered in the bottom of the inning with four of their own to take a 4-2 lead.
D’Andra DeFlora led off the third with a double to right center. She then scored on the next play, a double down the left field line by Michala Erickson.
Cheyenne Smith walked and Jasmine Casados followed with a single before Chelsea Johnson smashed one over the center field wall.
After another scoreless inning for both teams, New Mexico State got a runner on to lead off the fifth. The Lobos changed pitchers, going to Marissa Bethke but New Mexico State capitalized on the change and scored four runs. Tess McPherson came into pitch but the Aggies scored one more before the Lobos got out of the inning, taking a 7-4 lead over UNM.
Both teams went scoreless in the sixth and the Aggies were shut down in order in the 7th before Erickson brought the Lobos within one. Following Erickson’s blast, the next two batters grounded out to the infield.
DeFlora and Erickson each had two hits on the game. Johnson and Erickson each had three RBIs.
Bethke took the loss for the Lobos falling to 0-2 on the year. She allowed four runs off three hits in 0.2 innings of work. Fortner allowed three runs off three hits while striking out one. McPherson allowed just one hit in 2.1 innings.
The Lobo will get back to Mountain West action this weekend on the road at Fresno State. The Lobos will play a three game series, starting Friday at 7 p.m. MT. Saturday’s first pitch will be at 7 p.m. with Sunday’s first pitch at 1 p.m. MT. A live stream will be available on the Mountain West Network.