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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.— Coming off of a season-high 13 runs on 12 hits (the second-most this season) in Tuesday’s game against in-state rival New Mexico State, the Lobo softball team returns home and to Mountain West competition, hosting Utah State in a three-game series starting Friday.
Tickets are available for all three games, but for those who are unable to attend, all three games will be streamed on the Mountain West Network with live stats available.
Tuesday’s game marked the seventh time this season that the Lobos have finished with double-digit hits and the third time this season scoring 10 or more runs, with the entire Lobo roster was instrumental in the victory.
The Lobos had six extra-base hits with three doubles, a triple and two home runs, including a pinch-hit three-run home run by Savannah Braun, and 12 walks in the win. Hitting fifth, Leslie Romero finished 3-for-3 at the plate with a three-run home run, a bases-clearing double and a single, recording a career-high three hits, seven total bases and six RBI.
In the circle, Amber Linton was masterful in relief, pitching 4.0 innings, striking out four and allowing just one hit and one walk to earn the win and improve to 9-3 on the season. Emma Guindon struck out two and walked one in 3.0 innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits.
Pitching continues to be reliable for the Lobos, and as a pitching unit, have combined for a 2.69 ERA, with 173 strikeouts to 61 walks, and has allowed 191 hits and 107 runs (78 earned). The Lobos are fourth in the MW in ERA, opposing batting average (.239) and walks allowed, third in strikeouts and leads in fewest home runs allowed (7) and second in strikeouts looking (56).
Guindon has a 9-4 record with 2.23 ERA with 12 starts and 21 appearances, throwing three complete games, two shutouts and two one-hitters. Guindon and Linton have thrown the most innings on the team with 84.2 and 83.1, respectively, with Guindon striking out 70 and Linton 91. Guindon has walked 24 batters while Linton has walked 28. On the season, Linton carries a 2.52 ERA with 13 starts, 19 appearances, four complete games, and three saves. Linton also has a 9-3 record. Guindon is fifth in the conference in ERA and second in innings pitched. Linton is second in batters struck out and leads in batters struck out looking (34) and saves.
What has been most notable in games that UNM has won this season is taking a lead early. The Lobos have scored 22 runs in the first inning, outscoring opponents 22-7, have scored 20 runs in the second inning and 27 runs in the third inning, outscoring opponents 27-8 in the third. UNM is 10-2 when scoring in the first inning and 14-4 when scoring first in a game.
In the other dugout, the Aggies are 13-15 on the season and have not yet started conference play. Utah State shares a number of common opponents with the Lobos in Maine (W, 7-3 and 8-7 (8)), Santa Clara (W, 8-5 (8) and 6-2, lost 5-4), Dixie State (L, 5-4 and 9-5, won 8-2), North Dakota State (lost 15-9 and 10-3, won 6-4) and UCSB (lost 9-6 and won 8-7).
Lexi Orozco leads the team, and the MW, in batting average with .442, with 34 hits, eight doubles, nine home runs, 36 RBI and an .896 slugging percentage. Orozco is third in the MW in slugging percentage, total bases and on-base percentage (.534), as well as second in RBI. She is fourth in walks (19) and home runs (9). Mazie Macfarlane is tied for first in the MW in runs scored (29). Macfarlane is also 15-for-15 in stolen bases this season, seond in the MW, with the Aggies 33-for-36 as a team.
As a team, Utah State is fourth in the conference in runs scored (152) and fifth in RBI (131) and home runs (15), second in doubles (43), third in walks (104) and stolen bases (33) and fourth in strikeouts (153).
When it comes to pitching, the Aggies have used five pitchers with Kapri Toone making the most appearances and starts with 18 appearances and 10 starts. Toone, a RHP, carries a 3.72 ERA with one complete game, one save and 64.0 innings pitched. On the season, Toone has allowed 76 hits, 41 runs (34 earned), while walking 20 and striking out 21. Mia Reynolds has made the second-most appearances and starts with 17 and 8, respectively, and has a 5.49 ERA. Also a RHP, Reynolds has thrown one complete game and 58.2 innings, allowing 88 hits, 52 runs (46 earned), walking 18 and striking out 46. Nia Laing and Jessica Stewart have both appeared in 14 games, with Laing making five starts and Stewart with the best ERA on the team at 3.21. As a staff, the Aggies have a 4.99 ERA and have allowed 161 runs (134 earned) on 262 hits and have struck out 103 while walking 59.
The Lobos are 29-24 all-time against Utah State and won two out of three last season in Logan.
PROMOTIONS
Friday: Mental Health Awareness Night
Saturday: Bark in the Park
Sunday: Pride Day