ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.— Coming off their first MW series, the Lobo softball team heads to Las Cruces for a Tuesday midweek game against the Aggies set for 4 p.m.
The game will be streamed on the WAC Digital Network with live stats also available to follow along.
Tuesday’s game will be the third time facing New Mexico State this season, with the Aggies winning both games in Albuquerque on March 8. The Lobos uncharacteristically committed errors between the two games that led to six unearned runs in the first game and three unearned runs in the second game.
One missing piece was Emma Bramson, who missed both games which caused a shift in the infield positions and lineup, and is an integral part as the cleanup hitter and as the starting third baseman.
Andrea Howard hit two home runs in the first two meetings, including a three-run home run in the first game and a solo home run in the second game.
UNM (19-9) is coming off its conference opener with San José State, with two games needing extra innings in a defensive battle.
Ashley Archuleta led the Lobos at the plate with six hits, a .700 slugging percentage and a .636 on-base percentage. Peyton Robinson and Howard both finished with four hits through the three-game series, both recording a triple in the series.
In the circle, the Lobos relied on three pitchers with Amber Linton starting two games and pitching 15.2 innings with 11 strikeouts and three walks, allowing four runs (three earned). Emma Guindon threw 7.0 innings, appearing in all three games with one starts, and struck out four while walking seven.
On the season, the Lobos are outscoring opponents 21-6 in the first inning and are 9-2 when scoring in the first inning and 13-4 when scoring first.
The first three innings have been key to UNM’s success with the Lobos scoring early and often, scoring 20 runs in the second inning and 24 runs in the third inning to go along with the 21 in the first. UNM is outscoring opponents 24-5 in the third inning, the largest run differential.
Other trends to take note of are the Lobos are 14-1 when leading after five innings and 13-0 when leading after six innings and 15-0 when outhitting opponents.
Howard leads the team with a .856 slugging percentage, a .400 batting average and a .481 on-base percentage with 36 hits, five doubles, three triples, 10 home runs, 35 RBI and 77 total bases. Archuleta also has five doubles and is second on the team with 32 hits and 39 total bases. The freshman is batting .340 with a .421 on-base percentage and .415 slugging percentage, third on the team in all categories, and has led off in the lineup in 16 games.
In the other dugout, NM State is 6-17 on the season and have also lost its last two games following its WAC series with Grand Canyon. After the series with UNM, the Aggies went 2-6 with wins against Grand Canyon (8-7, 8 innings) and Ball State (11-7).
The Aggies are 3-8 at home, while the Lobos are 6-3 on the road this season.
Following Tuesday’s game, the Lobos will host Utah State in their conference home opener, with three games starting Friday at 6 p.m. Saturday’s game will be at 4 p.m. and Sunday’s game will be at noon.