ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — After six scoreless innings in game two of its series against UNLV on Saturday afternoon, The University of New Mexico softball team dropped a 6-0 final to the Runnin’ Rebels after a six-run seventh inning put the game out of reach for the Lobos.
Both UNM and UNLV are now 1-1 in Mountain West play and in the series and will battle on Sunday in the third and final game of the series between the squads. The Lobos move to 7-20 on the season while UNLV improves to 18-8.
Freshman Alexis Ruel nearly registered her fourth career complete game as she allowed just one hit throughout the first six innings. She posted the first two outs of the seventh inning before she was replaced by senior Krissy Fortner for the final out. Ruel takes the loss and falls to 1-6 on the season after allowing a total of four runs on four hits, walking five.
Both teams remained scoreless in a solid defensive battle all the way through the sixth inning but the game took a harsh turn in the top of the seventh.
Ruel opened the inning with a walk, a foul out, a single and a groundout to make it two outs before two straight singles drove in a pair of runs to make it 2-0 UNLV.
With two outs and a pair of runners on base, Fortner entered the game and gave up an RBI single to right field, 3-0 UNLV, followed by a walk to load the bases.
UNLV senior catcher Brooke Stover marked the ninth player to step to the plate in the inning. She blasted a base-clearing double for three RBI, putting the Runnin’ Rebels up 6-0 before UNLV’s lead-off batter flew out to junior Sydney Townes in right field to close the inning.
The six-run deficit proved too much for the Lobos as three straight were retired on a strikeout and a pair of groundouts in the bottom of the seventh to end the game.
The Lobos were outhit on the day 6-3 and left four runners on base compared to six for UNLV. UNM’s three hits came off the bats of sophomore Cameryn O’Grady, sophomore Jensen Main and Townes.
UNLV’s Charlie Masterson claims the win in the circle for the Runnin’ Rebels, allowing three hits in 7.0 innings while striking out seven.
Both teams are now tied 1-1 in the series and in the Mountain West standings. UNM will take on UNLV in one last matchup on Sunday at noon at Lobo Softball Field. Live stats will be available at lobos.statbroadcast.com and live video will be available at themw.com/live.