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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The University of New Mexico resumed conference play on Friday night, falling by a narrow score of 1-0 to the Utah State Aggies at Lobo Softball field. Utah State notched the game-winning run in the top of the sixth for the win.
With the loss, UNM falls to 11-30 (4-9 MW) on the season while Utah State improves to 15-26 (5-11 MW).
Sophomore Jensen Main remained composed in the circle for all seven innings, pitching her 13th career complete game, her eighth of the season. Main struck out four batters while allowing seven hits and the lone run of the day.
Utah State pitcher Kellie White improves to 5-14 on the season and posted 12 strikeouts while allowing four hits. She also walked three batters.
The Lobos were outhit 7-4 in game one of the three-game series, freshman Andrea Howard and junior Aleyah Wilbon led the squad with two hits apiece as they both went 2-for-2 at the plate. Wilbon finished with a perfect on base percentage as she also walked in her final at bat with two outs in the bottom of the seventh. UNM left seven runners on base compared to six for the Aggies.
The Lobo defense started out on fire, retiring three straight Aggies in three straight innings, the first, second and third.
UNM got its first runner on base in the bottom of the second when Howard singled to left field, but two straight Lobo strikeouts ended the inning.
Wilbon singled with one out in the bottom of the third, followed by a walk from sophomore Cameryn O’Grady to put a pair of Lobos on base in a promising offensive frame. But a lineout to third allowed Utah State to turn a double play, tagging O’Grady out at second to end the inning.
Utah State started threatening in the top of the fourth, but the Lobo defense stayed strong. The Aggies put a pair of runners on base on back-to-back, two-out singles, but O’Grady got the force out at second on a fielder’s choice to keep the score deadlocked, 0-0. The Aggies followed the outing with a two-hit fifth inning, but stranded two more on base.
In the bottom of the fifth, UNM stranded two more runners as Halleen led off with a walk, followed by a one-out single to third from Wilbon, still 0-0.
Utah State scored the eventual gamewinner in the top of the sixth. Aggie right fielder Riley Plogger led off with a bunt down the left line. As it rolled down the line, Lobo junior Monica Salas left it, hoping it would roll foul, but it stayed perfectly on the chalk and Plogger was safe at first.
Plogger moved to second as Howard snagged a grounder at first, making the tag at first base for the second out of the inning, but the Lobo was injured on the play and came out of the game, substituted for sophomore Lauren Wilmert. Friday marked the seventh time this season Wilmert has seen action at first base.
Plogger advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored when third baseman Bailee Trapp doubled deep down the right field line, bouncing off the wall.
It was 1-2-3 for the Lobos in the bottom of the sixth but in the bottom of the seventh, UNM put the tying and winning runs on base. Halleen reached base on error with one out, followed by a two-out walk from Wilbon, but a strikeout would end the game.
The Lobos are set to return to action on Saturday and Sunday at 12 p.m. Saturday’s game will mark UNM’s Lobos Love Pink game while Sunday, the Lobos will celebrate Earth Day with a free yoga class beginning 45 minutes before first pitch.