Lobos Fall in Series Opener with Spartans Friday
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.— In a game that was delayed by weather and saw snow and strong winds towards the later stage of the game, the Lobos fell to San José State 12-10 in the series opener on Friday night.
Errors played a critical part in the loss, with eight of SJSU’s 12 runs unearned on three Lobo errors.
UNM had a chance in the bottom of the seventh inning after Jenna Trim reached on a throwing error by the Spartan third baseman to lead off, pinch hitter Loran Walker singled up the middle and Ashley Archuleta walked following a full count to load the bases with one out. Rachael Hathoot walked to score Trim and Keyannah Chavez drew another walk on a full count two at-bats later to bring in another run and pull the Lobos within two. As the wind and rain picked up and with bases still loaded, Chloe Yeatts hit a shallow fly ball to center with the Spartan centerfielder making a diving play to end the game and keep the game from being tied.
After starter Amber Linton retired the side in order to start the game, the Lobos were quick to get on the board with Peyton Robinson leading off with a walk and after stealing second, was moved to third on a single through the infield by Hathoot and driven in on a single up the middle by Lauren Garcia.
The Spartans struck for four runs in the second to take the lead, with three of the four runs unearned, and added two runs in the third for the 6-1 lead. The Lobos responded in the bottom half of the third with four runs on four hits, including a sacrifice fly by Garcia to score Robinson, a double to the left field corner to score two runs and a hit back to the pitcher by Bramson that scored Yeatts to bring the Lobos within one at 6-5.
UNM completed the comeback in the fourth inning after Hathoot singled, moved to second on the next play and came around to score on a single to center by Chavez to tie the game at six.
However, SJSU retook the lead in the top of the fifth on a Lobo throwing error with the Spartan moving all the way around to third on the play and a single up the middle.
The Lobos took their first lead since 1-0 in the home half of the inning with walks by both Maddie Boldt and pinch hitter Reyan Tuck and a triple to the gap in right center by Archuleta that put UNM in front 8-7.
San José State benefited from a dropped fly ball that would have been the third out, scoring a run on the play and proceeded to score three more times on the next three at-bats to go ahead 11-8. The Spartans added a final run in the top of the seventh on a walk and a double to center before the aforementioned Lobo opportunity.
The Lobos finished with 10 hits and eight walks in the game, leaving 11 runners on base compared to 13 hits and three walks with eight runners left on base by the Spartans.
Hathoot led with a 2-3 night at the plate and four players (Archuleta, Garcia, Chavez and Yeatts) all finished with two RBI.
In the circle, Linton went 2.2 innings before being replaced by Taylor Snow, who went 3.0 innings in the loss. Emmalyn Brinka pitched the final 1.1 innings.
Game two of the series is set for 2 p.m. on Saturday in UNM’s Lobos Love Pink game. Admission is again free.