Lobos Control From Start in Run Rule of Nicholls

THIBODAUX, La.  – The Nicole Dickson era got off to a dominating start as the Lobos pressured Nicholls from the first at-bat, scoring six runs in the first en route a 12-3, five inning win.

Amber Linton went the distance in the win, with freshmen Chloe Yeatts and Keyannah Chavez getting the start and delivering with multiple hits. Yeatts went 2-3 from the plate hitting in the cleanup spot and drove in the first two runs of the game, finishing with three RBI on the day, while Chavez went 3-4.

As a team, the Lobos tallied 12 hits in the game with seven different players recording at least one hit and three players with multiple hits. Additionally, four players finished with multiple RBI with six players recording at least one. Peyton Robinson was the third Lobo to tally multiple hits, going 3-3 with a career-high three RBI to tie Yeatts for the team high.

Of note, seven of UNM’s RBI occurred with two outs and the Lobos were 3-3 with runners on third. UNM also reached base five times via hit-by-pitch and drew three walks.

The Lobos were aggressive early and had their first five hitters reach base on a hit-by-pitch for Robinson and after stealing second, Ashley Archuleta walked and Lauren Garcia was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Yeatts delivered on a 2-1 pitch on a hit through the infield to drive in the first two runs of the game and UNM kept it going with a single through the left by Emma Bramson to again load the bases. New Mexico plated six runs in the first on four hits, two hit-by-pitches and two walks.

New Mexico’s defense also was stout early on, turning a double play to get out of the bottom of the first inning after a Colonel reached second on a hit and a throwing error.

Neither team was able to get anything going in the second before Maddie Boldt resumed the scoring, leading off with a home run followed by a standup double by Chavez to chase the Colonel starting pitcher. The Lobos added two more runs in the third on a groundout by Archuleta that scored Chavez and a single through the left side by Yeatts two at-bats later to score Robinson.

Nicholls got on the board in the bottom of the third, but the Lobos were quick to answer in their next at-bat, scoring two runs on a Robinson blooper to right that allowed Chavez and pinch hitter Olivia Birkinshaw to score for the 11-1 lead. A two-run home run in the bottom of the fourth provided the final runs for the Colonels, while the Lobos added an insurance run in the top of the fifth after a Bramson hit-by-pitch, a stolen base and a double to left by Reyan Tuck. Tuck finished with two RBI in the game, tying her career high.

Linton accounted for the first two outs of the fifth inning on a strikeout and a grounder back to the circle and Bramson closed out the game on a liner to third for the final out.

With the win, Dickson became just the second Lobo coach to win her coaching debut.

The Lobos remain in Louisiana to face Oregon State and LSU in the LSU Invitational starting Friday.