FRESNO, Calif. – The University of New Mexico softball team was shut out Friday evening, falling to Fresno State 5-0. The Lobos drop to 20-25 on the year and 6-13 in the Mountain West.
The game started off well for Lobo starter Tess McPherson as she pitched three scoreless inning. She allowed just one hit through two innings and three hits through three innings.
Fresno State began to capitalize on its offense, scoring two runs in the fourth off three hits.
The Lobos offense struggled to get things going as they only had one hit through the first three innings. That hit came from Cheyenne Smith in the third, an infield single to short.
New Mexico threatened in the fifth as D’Andra DeFlora doubled to right center and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt from Jade Gray. DeFlora was left at third as the next two Lobos struck out and grounded out, respectively.
Fresno State put two more runs on the board off Tess McPherson and the Lobos’ defense struggled, committing two errors. With two outs, the Lobos made a pitching change, going to Krissy Fortner. Another run came across for the Bulldogs before the inning ended, taking a 5-0 lead into the sixth inning.
The Lobos tried to get something going in the seventh as Chelsea Johnson led off with a single up the middle but Jordan Gelfand, who pinch ran for Johnson was left at first.
Tess McPherson took the loss, dropping to 8-12 on the year. She allowed five runs off eight hits, while walking three and striking out one. Fortner allowed just one hit in her 1.1 innings of work.
The Lobos will look to even the series on Saturday with a 6 p.m. PT/7 p.m. MT start. The game will air on the Mountain West Network and live stats will be available on GoLobos.com.