ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — In a close Saturday matchup, The University of New Mexico softball team earned an 8-5 win over the visiting Utah State Aggies at Lobo Softball Field in game two of the three-game series. UNM posted a four-run sixth inning to turn a 5-4 deficit into an 8-5 victory.
UNM improves to 5-9 in Mountain West play, 12-30 on the season, while Utah State remains in last place in the league with a 5-12 conference record, 15-27 overall.
The Lobos were led sophomore Cameryn O’Grady who went 3-for-4 on the day with three RBI. She finished just a homerun short of a cycle with a single, a double and a triple.
UNM was also led by junior Kristyn Whitley who went 2-for-2 with a walk. She also had an outstanding day in the field with three putouts and three assists.
The teams entered the sixth inning tied 4-4 and Utah State scored in the top of the frame to take a 5-4 advantage on an RBI single to left center. The Lobos responded in the bottom of the sixth however, with four runs to roar back for the win.
With one out, Whitley drew a walk and advanced to second when junior Aleyah Wilbon singled through the left side with two outs. Freshman Sam Oliver replaced Whitley on second base to pinch run and with two of the fastest Lobos on base, O’Grady singled to right field to score Oliver and advance Wilbon to third. O’Grady reached second on the throw attempt home.
BOT 6 | O’Grady with an RBI single to tie it back up 5-5! Pinch-runner Oliver crosses the plate. #GoLobos pic.twitter.com/b8WzNd4T6q
— UNM Softball (@UNMLoboSB) April 21, 2018
Junior Sydney Townes was hit by a pitch to load the bases and senior Chelsea Johnson smacked the ball to shortstop. With runners in motion, Aggie shortstop Emery Marshall watched the ball go through her legs and Wilbon and O’Grady crossed the plate to put UNM back on top, 7-5. The play wasn’t over as an outfield mishap also allowed Townes to cross the plate on the play to make it 8-5 Lobos.
BOT 6 | Johnson reaches on an error, that and an outfield mishap allows THREE runs to cross the plate! It’s 8-5 Lobos with 2 outs. #GoLobos pic.twitter.com/fjxLgt88xX
— UNM Softball (@UNMLoboSB) April 21, 2018
After two straight scoreless innings to open the game, UNM got on the board first in the bottom of the third with three runs, one brought in on O’Grady’s triple and two more were driven in by sophomore Lauren Wilmert on a double to put the Lobos up 3-0. Wilmert sent a ball high in the air just past the infield in right field. She reached base before the ball fell and made it to second when the Aggie fielder lost the ball in the sun.
The Lobos went through three pitchers on the day, starting with senior Krissy Fortner who allowed four runs on three hits while striking out four in 3.1 innings. She was replaced in the circle by freshman Alexis Ruel while the Aggies were leading 4-3.
Ruel pitched 2.0 innings, allowing just one run on two hits. After allowing her run in the top of the sixth with one out and two on base, sophomore Jensen Main came in in relief with the score 5-4 in favor of the Aggies.
Main’s first batter grounded out to third with one out on the board, but before Whitley made the throw to Wilmert at first, she tagged her own base for a double play to get out of the inning. Main held the Aggies with the 8-5 Lobo lead in the top of the seventh as just one runner reached base on a Lobo infield error. Main earns the win and improves to 6-15 on the season.
TOP 6 | Main’s first batter is out on a double play turned by Whitley! 5-4 Aggies heading into the bottom. #GoLobos pic.twitter.com/uCIb6olOTR
— UNM Softball (@UNMLoboSB) April 21, 2018
UNM outhit Utah State 7-5 on the day while both stranded five runners on base. The Lobos are back in action on Sunday at noon for the final game in the series. The teams are tied 1-1.
In honor of Earth Day, there will be free yoga in the park 45 minutes prior to first pitch.