BOISE, Idaho— The Lobos completed the sweep at Boise State Saturday by a score of 6-2 with Jessica DeLeon providing a three-RBI double in the top of the seventh and RBI doubles by Allie Williams and Gabrielle Briones.
It marked the first sweep of Boise State since 2015 and the second sweep all-time, but the first sweep in Boise. In addition, it marked the first sweep of a MW team since 2024 and the first time winning consecutive MW series since 2021.
Through the three games of the series, UNM never trailed and outscored the Broncos 21-5.
UNM got on the board in its first at-bats with a two-out double by Briones after DeNae Vasquez-Dickson walked following a full count and moved to second on a grounder to the pitcher. A wild pitch put her on third with Briones driving the 2-2 pitch to the gap in left center.
BSU answered to tie the game in the bottom of the inning taking advantage of a walk and passed ball to put a runner in scoring position to start the inning. The Lobos almost got out of the inning on a grounder back to starter Caitlin Benningfield for the first out and a flyout to Vasquez-Dickson in left, but a single to Melanie Macias led to the tying run coming in. A strikeout by Benningfield ended the inning with two on.
After a scoreless second, UNM took the lead with two runs in the third on three hits. Miracle McKenzie started the inning with a one-out single to right with Briones laying down a bunt that stayed fair along the first base line without a throw being made to first. Following three-straight foul balls, Williams doubled to right center to bring around pinch runner Ella Dawson with Briones going to third on the play. A wild pitch allowed Briones to easily score for the 3-1 lead before the next two Lobos were retired with a runner left on third.
The Broncos answered back with a run with the leadoff batter reaching on a walk and a one-out single up the middle with both runners ending up in scoring position. The Lobos went to the bullpen with McKenna Guest entering in relief of Marina Tinari with a run coming in on a single through the right side and the Bronco advancing to second on a throwing error to home on the play to put two in scoring position. With the tying run standing on third, a liner to McKenzie at first and strikeout ended the threat.
Both teams went down in order in the fourth and fifth innings with UNM putting two runners on in the sixth on a Williams leadoff walk and Macias single to center. A strikeout and flyball to center left both runners stranded. The Broncos had one runner reach in the bottom of the inning on a two-out walk, but a flyout to Benningfield in center ended the inning.
Leading 3-2 heading to the seventh, the Lobos rallied with two outs to score three runs with McKenzie reaching on a fielding error by the shortstop and walks by Briones and Williams to load the bases. On a 3-2 count and on the 10th pitch of her at-bat, DeLeon drove the pitch to the gap in center with the Bronco outfielder diving and unable to make the catch with all three runners coming in to score to extend the Lobo lead.
Guest retired the side in order in the bottom of the seventh on a flyball to Vasquez-Dickson in left, a grounder back to Guest and a grounder to Briones at shortstop.
Of the six runs, four came with two outs.
Guest earned the win, her second of the series, going 4.2 innings and allowing one hit and no runs. Benningfield went 2.0 innings in the start, allowing one run (unearned) on three hits with two strikeouts.
UNM returns home for a midweek doubleheader against UNLV on Wednesday with first pitch set for noon.