BOISE, Idaho— Miracle McKenzie hit a grand slam in the eighth inning as the Lobos scored seven runs for the 9-2 win on Friday to take the series over Boise State.
It marks UNM’s fifth win in the last six games and consecutive series wins for the Lobos. Additionally, it was the first time that UNM has won consecutive games against BSU since 2016, the first series win against BSU since 2021, the first series win in Boise since 2016 and only the second series win in Boise in program history.
McKenzie finished 3-5 in the game with five RBI, the second time this season registering five in a game. DeNae Vasquez-Dickson went 3-4 with one RBI with UNM finishing with 13 hits in the game.
Both teams scored their first run in the third inning with Caitlin Benningfield leading off the inning with a single up the middle. A sac bunt by Briana Williams moved her over and an infield single by Vasquez-Dickson put runners on the corners with one out. McKenzie drove in her first RBI of the game on a single up the middle to score Benningfield and Allie Williams flied out to right with both runners tagging on the play. However, a strikeout ended the inning and left two Lobos in scoring position.
A Bronco home run tied the game with Estrella Rowe matching that with a solo home run in the top of the fourth to give UNM the lead back for her third home run of the season.
Much like the third inning, Boise State answered with a run to tie the game in the home half of the inning. A one-out single, stolen base and single to center field tied the game with starter McKenna Guest getting out of the inning with runners on first and second on a grounder to Rowe at third.
Heading to the bottom of the seventh still tied at two, the Broncos had their leadoff batter reach on a hit-by-pitch but a liner to McKenzie at first resulted in a double play. A fielding error kept the inning going, but a flyout to Benningfield in center sent the game to extra innings.
For the third time this season, the Lobos went to extra innings with UNM rallying with two outs in the inning.
Jessica DeLeon started the rally with a single through the left side with Melanie Macias reaching on a throwing error and Rowe loading the bases on a single through the right side. Benningfield brought in the first run of the inning on a walk with a wild pitch on the first pitch of Marina Tinari’s at-bat scoring Macias.
Tinari also walked to reload the bases with Vasquez-Dickson hitting the 1-1 pitch back up the middle with the shortstop keeping the ball in the infield but unable to make a play at any base. McKenzie put a finishing touch on the inning with grand slam to right center for her 14th home run of the season. It also marked her fourth home run in the last six games. The Lobos drew two more walks by A. Williams and Gabrielle Briones before a grounder back to the pitcher ended the inning.
UNM scored seven runs on four hits and drew four walks in the inning, which were the only four walks of the game for the Lobos. Further, it marked the 12th game with multiple runs scored with two outs and the 10th game and 13th time this season scoring more than four runs in an inning.
Guest retired the Broncos in order in the bottom of the inning on a grounder back to the circle, a groundout to Macias at second and a strikeout. Guest earned the win after throwing a combined 6.0 innings, allowing two runs on four hits and striking out three, while Arianna Capek threw a scoreless 2.0 innings of relief in the fifth and sixth innings, not allowing a hit and striking out two.
UNM closes the series with Boise State on Saturday at 12 p.m. MT.