Comeback Falls Short as UNM Edged by NMSU

LAS CRUCES, N.M.— The University of New Mexico Lobos rallied in the top of the sixth to make it a one-run game and would put two runners on in the seventh on consecutive four-pitch walks, but the rally would fall short as New Mexico State escaped with the 4-3 win.

The heart of the Lobo lineup accounted for three of UNM’s hits in the game, with Briana Martinez, Andrea Howard and Lauren Wilmert, while the fourth hit came on the bat of Taryn Young.

Wilmert, Reyan Tuck and Young each tallied a run batted in, with Howard and Young recording extra-base hits with their fourth double and home run of the season, respectively. Wilmert and Young also reached base on walks, joined by Cameryn O’Grady, who also reached on a hit-by-pitch.

While the Aggies tallied the first hit of the game, the Lobos got to NMSU starting pitcher Matalasi Faapito first in the top of the second to give UNM an early lead.

Howard led off the second inning with a double down the first base line and advanced to third on a wild pitch on a full count to Wilmert to put two early runners on the corners. Tuck drove the 0-1 pitch to left, giving Howard a chance to tag from third for the sacrifice fly and first run of the game.

However, NMSU evened the score in the bottom half of the inning on a leadoff home run to right field and took the lead in the third.

In the bottom of the third, NMSU tallied a leadoff bunt back to starting Lobo pitcher Kiana Spencer and a stolen base on the next at-bat put a runner in scoring position. A grounder to Taylor Jones at second moved the runner to third and a double to right put the Aggies in front.

Kennedy Ferguson inherited runners on first and third with one out in the third, and a double to right center scored both runs to make it 4-1.

UNM’s second hit of the game came in the top of the sixth, with Young leading off the inning with a home run over the wall in left field, the first home run for UNM since March 1 against South Dakota. A fielder’s choice, an infield single that Martinez beat out the throw to first, and a hit-by-pitch loaded the bases with one out as Wilmert made it a one-run game with a single to left that scored Rachael Hathoot. The Lobos would leave them loaded after a diving catch by the Aggie center fielder kept the shallow hit to center from dropping in, but scored two runs on three hits in the frame.

After allowing the three runs in the third, the Lobos shut down the Aggie bats, with Ferguson and the defense retiring seven batters in order to conclude the fourth through the sixth inning.

In the top of the seventh, NMSU went to the bullpen to make a pitching change, bringing in Felicia De La Torre with one out, but after giving up a four-pitch walk to Young and starting off O’Grady with a ball, the Aggies again went to the bullpen, bringing in Analise De La Roca. O’Grady would walk on four pitches to move the tying run to second and again, the Aggies would go to the bullpen to bring back in Faapito.

Pinch hitter Bailey Klitzke hit a shallow ball to left that the shortstop was unable to catch at the last second, but the action caused Young to move back towards second which when the ball dropped in, resulted in the throw to third for the out. A fly ball to center recorded the final out and two more Lobos left on base. UNM left a total of six runners on base, five coming in the last two innings.

Entering in relief, Ferguson pitched 3.2 scoreless innings and allowed just one hit and one walk while striking out four with two coming in the fourth frame. Spencer took the loss in the start, going 2.1 innings and allowing five hits and four runs while walking one. Each Lobo pitcher threw more strikes than balls with Ferguson throwing 47 of 67 pitches for strikes and Spencer 30 of 50.

Up next for UNM is the beginning of Mountain West play, starting off in a three-game series against San José State on Friday at 7 p.m. MT.