Lobos Can't Capitalize in 1-0 Loss to Huskers

LAS CRUCES, N.M.— New Mexico outhit Nebraska 5-4 and had runners in scoring position in six innings including bases loaded in the sixth, but couldn’t capitalize in the 1-0 loss to the Huskers Sunday.

UNM left a total of 10 runners on with a runner reaching in every inning, and reaching third in the fifth and seventh innings in addition to the bases loaded opportunity in the sixth.

Peyton Robinson led off the game with a double but was called out on interference two plays later to negate the early scoring chance, and after UNM starting pitcher Amber Linton retired the side in order at the bottom of the inning, Emma Bramson reached on a one-out walk setting up another chance. A fielder’s choice on the next at-bat and a pop up ended UNM’s half of the inning, and Nebraska had its first opportunity to get on the board in the bottom of the second. The Huskers had runners reach on an error and a walk, but were left stranded in scoring position. The Huskers had a total of nine runners left on base.

Nebraska didn’t have its first hit until the bottom of the third, a single up the middle with a runner on first following a walk and two at-bats later, scored the only run of the game on a two-out double.

The Lobos had more runners reach in the top of the fourth on a walk, a fielder’s choice that ended in an out at second and another walk, however, with two outs, the Lobos couldn’t advance the runners past second.

Keyannah Chavez led off the fifth with a single to the pitcher and consecutive ground balls moved the freshman to third before a flyout ended the inning.

UNM had its best opportunity in the aforementioned sixth inning, with Olivia Birkinshaw leading off with a single to left, and consecutive singles by Bramson and Jenna Trim loaded the bases with one out, although a strikeout and a grounder to first stranded three more runners. In the bottom of the inning, Nebraska attempted to add on to its lead with a leadoff double and a fielder’s choice that allowed the runner to move to third while putting runners on the corners. A stolen base put both in scoring position, but Linton recorded her sixth strikeout of the game for the second out and the Lobo defense ended the inning on a flyout to left.

Down to its final three outs, UNM was aided by a Nebraska fielding error that allowed Rachael Hathoot to advance to second, and a groundball on the next at-bat advanced the Lobo to third with two outs. A popup on the next play ended the game with the tying run standing on third.

Linton threw her fifth complete game of the season, striking out six and allowing one run on four hits.

Following Sunday’s loss, the Lobos are 6-9 on the season.

UP NEXT: New Mexico hosts UTEP in a doubleheader on Wednesday, March 1, with first pitch scheduled for 3 p.m.