Lobos Shut Out Rebels in Series Opener
LAS VEGAS, Nev.— McKenna Guest threw her ninth complete game of the season and her fifth solo shutout as the Lobos defeated UNLV in the series opener 5-0 on Thursday night.
Sydney Carithers led the Lobos at the plate going 2-2, which included her fourth home run of the season that turned UNM’s 2-0 lead into 4-0 in the fourth inning, with the Lobos scoring two runs in the third, two in the fourth and a run in the sixth for UNM’s eighth shutout of the season.
Additionally, with the win, Guest picked up her 15th win of the season, the most wins by a Lobo since Kelly Ninemire had 16 in 2008 (Ninemire also had 14 in 2007). Guest finished with seven strikeouts in the game, giving her 139 on the season and her 12th game of the season with five or more strikeouts.
Further, it was UNM’s first win in Las Vegas since 2021 and the second win in the last three games in the series against the Rebels.
Following a scoreless first two innings in which Guest struck out one in the first and three in the second, the Lobos broke through in the top of the third, scoring two runs on three hits. Carithers opened the inning with an infield single with Emma Bramson laying down a sacrifice bunt to move her into scoring position.
With two outs, DeNae Vasquez-Dickson put the Lobos on the board with a double to center with Carithers coming around to score, getting her hand in under the tag on a play at the plate. On the next at-bat, Allie Williams hit an infield single to second with the Rebel infielder unable to make a throw to first on the play, and the throw home to try to get Vasquez-Dickson was off line for the 2-0 Lobo lead.
UNLV threatened in the bottom of the third with a hit-by-pitch and double that put two in scoring position, but a hit to Carithers at third led to a rundown between home and third with the runner getting back to the base safely, and then another rundown between third and second with Jewels Hanawahine making the tag for the second out. A grounder to Bramson at short ended the inning with two left on.
The Lobos added to their lead in their next at-bats with Miracle McKenzie starting off the fourth with a single to left and with two outs, Carithers drove the first pitch of her at-bat over the left field wall for the 4-0 Lobo advantage. Four of UNM’s runs came with two outs.
After Guest and the Lobo defense retired the side in order in the fourth, the Lobo defense eliminated a leadoff walk in the fifth with Bramson applying the tag on the Rebel trying to steal second, with the Lobos getting out of the inning on a grounder to short and a popup to short to leave a Rebel on.
Three walks in the sixth aided the final New Mexico run with Jessica DeLeon starting the inning with a single to left and Hayden Luderer walking on five pitches after taking a first pitch strike, Carithers walking on four pitches to load the bases and Bramson walking on five pitches to score a run.
With the score holding heading into the seventh, a fly out to Vasquez-Dickson started the bottom of the seventh before two singles by UNLV put two runners on. A liner to center with Luderer making a diving play provided the second out and Guest closed the night with her final strikeout of the game.
Game two of the series is set for Friday at 3 p.m. PT/ 4 p.m. MT.