Lobos Fall to Aztecs in Series Finale

SAN DIEGO— A Sydney Carithers home run in the second inning gave UNM the 1-0 in the series finale against San Diego State on Sunday, but the Aztecs answered with three runs in the home half of the inning and scored seven unanswered in the 7-1 final.

The Lobos had their leadoff batters reach in three innings, with Ashley Archuleta starting off the game on a four-pitch walk, Emma Bramson reaching on an infield single in the third and Allie Williams hitting a single down the right field line in the seventh, but the Lobos were unable to string together at-bats to cut into the deficit.

After Natalie Fritz retired the side in order in the bottom of the first, both Miracle McKenzie and Jessica DeLeon flew out to deep left field with the outfielder making the catch at the warning track before Carithers hit it over the left field wall for her second home run of the season and the 1-0 Lobo lead.

However, an Aztec solo home run to start the bottom of the second tied the game with the Aztecs taking a 3-1 lead on five hits in the inning.

Bramson started off the third with an infield single with fielder’s choices on the next two at-bats and a strikeout ended the inning. SDSU added a run in the bottom of the fourth and three runs in the bottom of the fifth.

The Lobos had their first two runners reach in the top of the seventh after Williams hit a single down the right field line to start the inning and McKenzie hitting the first pitch she saw down the right field line to put two in scoring position, although the next three batters were retired without the Lobos unable to plate any runs.

In the circle, Fritz got the start, going 1.2 innings and allowing three runs on five hits before McKenna Guest went 4.1 with two strikeouts, allowing four runs (one earned) on three hits and three walks.

The Lobos remain in San Diego to face UC San Diego on Tuesday at 11 a.m. PT/ 12 p.m. MT.