PHOTO GALLERIES: GAME 1 | GAME 2
LAS VEGAS, NEV. — The University of New Mexico softball team suffered a pair of losses on Saturday in day two of its tournament hosted by UNLV. The Lobos were shutout in their first matchup against UTEP before rallying for a comeback in game two that fell short in the bottom of the seventh.
The Lobos fall to 1-8 on the season while UTEP improves to 2-6 and South Dakota moves to 1-8, claiming its first victory of the season.
Game 1 – New Mexico 0, UTEP 8 | 5 Innings – Box Score (PDF)
Freshman Alexis Ruel started in the circle for the Lobos in game one against UTEP, pitching 4.1 innings for her third career complete game after a UTEP walk-off triple in the fifth. She collected a pair of strikeouts and allowed six earned runs.
The Miners got on the board early in the top of the first inning, posting three straight singles on two outs to drive in a run, making it 1-0 UTEP.
The Lobos retired three straight batters in the top of the second inning on a strikeout and a pair of groundouts before threatening in the bottom of the frame.
With one out, juniors Kasey Halleen and Monica Salas walked back-to-back before Broderick reached on a fielder’s choice with Salas out on the play. Broderick’s play advanced Halleen to third where she was ultimately stranded after a strikeout ended the inning.
UTEP added three runs in the top of the third. The Miner leadoff hitter singled and advanced to second on a passed ball before scoring on a single to left field by Kaitlin Ryder. Ryder ran for the double, but didn’t make it as Lobo third-baseman Monica Salas threw her out at second.
The next two batters singled and reached on a fielder’s choice, then stole second and third, respectively. After a groundout to Halleen for UTEP’s second out, the Miners’ Pamala Baber sent the ball to shortstop, but an overthrow of first base on the play caused both runners to score, 4-0 UTEP.
UNM held the Miners in the fourth but in the fifth inning, leadoff hitter Courtney Clayton singled up the middle followed by a homer to make it 6-0. With one out, a hit batter and an infield single put two runners on. The pair was cleared when Ariana Valles, batting in the eight spot, belted a walk-off triple down the right line for the 8-0 final.
Game 2 – New Mexico 2, South Dakota 5 – Box Score (PDF)
The Lobos significantly mixed up the lineup for game two. The new lineup included catcher Jade Gray, first baseman Lauren Wilmert, third baseman Krysten Whitley, shortstop Monica Salas and freshman Day’Mian Johnson in her first collegiate appearance.
Starting in the circle for UNM was redshirt-junior Marissa Bethke who totaled four hits, two runs and one strikeout in 2.0 innings.
South Dakota threatened in the top of the first when, with no outs, the leadoff batter, who doubled, nearly scored from third on a sacrifice fly to Johnson in center field. The runner crossed the plate, but was called out for leaving early, 0-0.
In the top of the third, the Coyotes scored two runs when leadoff hitter Dylan Underwood singled to left center, followed by a homer over the left-field fence, 2-0 South Dakota. Senior Krissy Fortner entered the game for UNM and closed the inning on two flyouts and a groundout, allowing one double.
Fortner pitched 5.0 innings allowing three runs, two earned, six hits and just one walk.
In the bottom of the third it was the Lobos that threatened to score as Day’Mian Johnson reached on a fielder’s choice and advanced to third on a Coyote error. The Lobos had Johnson and freshman Sam Oliver on second and third with two outs, but a strikeout closed the inning to keep USD ahead 2-0.
The Lobos held the Coyotes at bay through the fourth, fifth and sixth innings, allowing just a walk and a double heading into the final frame.
South Dakota made it a 5-0 game with three runs in the top of the seventh however, despite the Lobos retiring the first two batters of the inning on a groundout and a flyout. The next two batters singled before USD’s Emily Winckler doubled down the left line for two RBI, 4-0.
The final play of the inning was a wild one as Winckler was followed by a single through the left side by Taylor Steinfeldt. Steinfeldt held up at first, then tried to take second where the Lobo defense hoped to catch her in a pickle. Third baseman Whitley fired to first baseman Wilmert. After the throw, Winckler, who was on third, attempted to take home. Wilmert threw to Gray behind the plate but the throw was high and Winckler scored.
As the play continued, Steinfeldt rounded second, third and rushed toward the plate. Gray dove with the ball and tagged Stenfeldt for the third out, 5-0 South Dakota.
The Lobos ended the game in exciting fashion, leading off with a single up the middle from Gray and a walk from sophomore pinch hitter Cameryn O’Grady. With two on and no outs, Lobo pitcher Jensen Main pinch hit for Wilmert, singling through the left side to advance O’Grady to third and score Gray, 5-1.
Whitley followed with a sacrifice fly to center field to score O’Grady, 5-2. Day’Mian Johnson reached on a throwing error by third base, advancing Main to third but one final lineout ended the rally.
South Dakota outhit the Lobos 10-3 on the day, but also collected three errors to just one for UNM.
The Lobos return to action for their final day of the tournament on Sunday, February 18, as they finish with a single game against CSUN at 11:15 a.m. PT, 12:15 p.m. MT. Fans can follow live via live stats at lobos.statbroadcast.com.