LAS CRUCES, N.M.— Miracle McKenzie hit a two-out double in the first inning of Tuesday’s game at New Mexico State to score Briana Williams from second, but the Aggies answered with two runs in the bottom of the inning and ultimately scored nine unanswered runs for the 9-1 final.
UNM had two hits with DeNae Vasquez-Dickson leading off the game with a single to left field, and Gabrielle Briones reached on a walk in the fourth, with the Lobos unable to generate any base runners in three of the innings.
Vasquez-Dickson started the game with the aforementioned single to left with the Aggies getting the lead runner on a fielder’s choice to second and Allie Williams laying down a sacrifice bunt to move B. Williams into scoring position. McKenzie hit her seventh double of the season to drive in her 20th RBI of the season. A groundout ended the inning and the opportunity for more runs.
Two singles by the Aggies to start the bottom of the inning put two runners in scoring position with an infield single to shortstop scoring a run and a throwing error on the play allowing two runners to move into scoring position. A one-out walk loaded the bases with a fielder’s choice to shortstop scoring another run as the runner on second evaded the tag on the way to third and the play being made at second for the second out. A strikeout ended the inning with three Aggies left on.
The score held until the third inning with NMSU adding to its lead with a solo home run.
In the top of the fourth the Lobos worked the count to 3-2 on the first three batters with A. Williams fouling off eight consecutive pitches and nine pitches overall as part of a 16-pitch at-bat before popping up to shortstop, McKenzie grounding out and Briones drawing a walk before a strikeout ended the inning.
NMSU scored six runs in the bottom of the fourth behind three hits, a hit-by-pitch and four walks with the Lobos unable to extend the game in the top of the fifth.
The Lobos begin conference play at home with Grand Canyon in a three-game series starting Friday at 6 p.m. MT.