Hathoot Homers to Walk Off in Game 2 as Lobos Split Saturday Doubleheader
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.— UNM walked off UNLV in the bottom of the eighth on a Rachael Hathoot home run to give UNM the 2-1 win in game two, with the Rebels taking the third game of the series 8-2 on Saturday.
It was UNM’s first home win against UNLV since March 16, 2018 and the first win in the series since April 17, 2021.
The Lobos outhit the Rebels 5-4 with Chloe Yeatts going 2-3 and Sydney Carithers, Hathoot and Keyannah Chavez adding a hit apiece.
Each team plated a run in the first inning with the Lobos using a two-out rally of a Chavez triple and a single up the middle by Yeatts to tie the game at one.
From there, UNM starter McKenna Guest retired the side in order in second and third innings with two strikeouts in the second and another strikeout in the third. Between the first and third innings, Guest retired seven consecutive Rebels.
The Rebels loaded the bases in the top of the seventh on three walks in the inning, but a grounder back to Guest with the Lobo throwing home evaded any damage and kept the game tied.
UNM was unable to get a runner on in the bottom half of the inning to send the game to extras, with Guest returning to the circle and retiring the side in order for the third time in the game on a fly ball to Elizabeth Baylor in right, a grounder back to the pitcher and a final strikeout following a 3-2 count.
Leading off in the bottom of the eighth, Hathoot worked a 3-1 count before ending the game on a home run over the scoreboard in left for her first home run of the season and the 2-1 Lobo win.
Guest pitched her eighth complete game of the season and her second of the week, throwing a season-high 8.0 innings and 148 pitches. Of the 36 batters faced, the Lobo allowed one run on four hits and struck out five, and of her 148 pitches, 73 went for strikes.
GAME 2: UNLV 8, UNM 2
The Lobos were the first on the board in game three, using stolen bases to get a run across. With two outs in the bottom of the second, Baylor got the rally started on a full-count walk with Emma Bramson moving her to third on a single to right field. Carithers got ahead of the count 3-1 and on the next pitch took off for first thinking she drew a walk. At the same time, Bramson took off for second with the Rebels throwing to second in an attempt to get the out, but as Bramson slid in safely, Baylor was sliding into home for the 1-0 Lobo lead.
However, UNLV answered with two home runs in the top of the third to go up 3-1, with the Lobos getting a run back in the bottom of the inning. Chavez led off with a bunt and running to second on a throwing error by the UNLV pitcher to set up the inning. A passed ball allowed her to advance to third, with Yeatts driving her in on a single through the left side. The Lobos left two runners on in the inning after a catch at the wall by the centerfielder recorded the third out.
The Rebels added to their lead with a home run in the fourth and added a run in the fifth and a run in the seventh for the 8-2 final.
UNM finished with eight hits in the series finale, led by two from Chavez and one each from Hathoot, DeNae Vasquez-Dickson, Yeatts, Ashley Archuleta, Baylor and Bramson.
The Lobos used three pitchers in the circle with Taylor Snow getting the start ang going 3.0 innings, allowing three runs on five before being replaced by Emily Brouse. Brouse went 1.2 innings, allowing three runs on two hits and a walk, with Brooke Umali closing the final 2.1 innings and allowing two runs on four hits.
Up next: UNM returns to the road for five games, starting with a doubleheader at New Mexico State on Tuesday scheduled for 4 and 6 p.m. From there, the Lobos head to Nevada for a three-game series starting on Thursday.