Lobos Lose Lead Late to Rebels
LAS VEGAS, Nev.— A Jewels Hanawahine hit to right center drove in two runs in the top of the sixth to give the Lobos a 3-1 lead, but UNLV scored three in the bottom of the seventh for the 4-3 final to even the series.
Hanawahine was one of two Lobos to finish with two hits in the game, joined by Jessica DeLeon as the Lobos finished with eight hits as a team, New Mexico also drew seven walks with Miracle McKenzie, Sydney Carithers and DeNae Vasquez-Dickson drawing two walks apiece.
Scoreless through three innings, the Lobos were the first on the board in the top of the fourth after Vasquez-Dickson started the inning beating out the throw to first for an infield single and following a fielder’s choice, McKenzie walked on four pitches. DeLeon singled through the left side to load the bases and Carithers hit a blooper that dropped in shallow right to score Williams.
The Rebels tied the game in the bottom of the fifth on a bases-loaded walk, with the Lobos responding in their next at-bats, loading the bases as well.
McKenzie hit a one-out single to right center with Carithers and Hayden Luderer drawing consecutive walks to load the bases with two outs. Hanawahine hit the 1-1 pitch to right center to bring in both Carithers and McKenzie for the 3-1 Lobo lead.
The Lobo defense retired the side in order in the bottom of the sixth with the Lobos having a chance to add insurance runs in the top of the seventh. Vasquez-Dickson drew a walk with Williams putting a second runner on following a single through the left side. McKenzie drew a walk following a full count to load the bases, but a double play ended the inning.
A leadoff double and single up the middle to start the bottom of the seventh plated a run, and after the Lobos got the first out of the inning on a popup to second, a double to left center allowed the tying run to score with the Rebel taking third on the throw home. A single through the right side scored the winning run.
Natalie Fritz went 5.1 innings in the loss with Caprice Barela went 1.0 innings.
The series wraps up Saturday at 12 p.m. PT/ 1 p.m. MT.