A three-run second inning keyed the UNM softball team’s win in the second game of its season opening doubleheader against the University of Mississippi. In game one, the Lobos found themselves down 3-0 before rallying to win 4-3 in the opener of the UNM Diamond Invitational.
Kathy Moore hit her UNM-record 27th career home run in game two, a solo shot over the left-field fence, and Kelly Glass hit a two-run single in the bottom of the second inning, which provided more than enough scoring for UNM to earn a sweep of the Rebels. Freshman pitcher Hayley Punter pitched a complete, scattering three hits while striking out five and walking two.
The Rebels jumped on Moore for three runs in the first inning of game one. But UNM scored two runs in the fourth and fifth innings, while holding Mississippi scoreless the rest of the way for the win.
UNM head coach Susan Craig said the blustery weather may have affected the team a little in game one.
“It was really cold, but I think the difficult thing when you’re starting and excited is trying to focus,” Craig said. “So I was extremely pleased that after a rocky start that we found our composure and won in game one.”
In game two the Lobos got on the scoreboard first when, in the bottom of the second inning, Moore hit a lead-off home run to make the score 1-0. Michelle Carter followed with a single to shallow right field and Brooke Chaffee walked. Mississippi pitcher Lindsay Price then walked Krissy Keene on four straight pitches to load the bases. Glass ripped a double under shortstop Amanda Lehotak’s glove to score Carter and Chaffee, and Keene was called out at third base, ending the scoring run for the Lobos.
The only real trouble Punter got into against Mississippi came in the top of the sixth inning, when Holly Burris singled to left field. Amber Slaton went down swinging and Desiree Layman sent a Punter pitch deep into left field, which Cayley Warner grabbed over her head while running backwards.
Moore said she was excited about sharing the mound with Punter this year
“We work well together because we’re exact opposites,” Moore said. “And she had a positive attitude coming in, so it’s going to work out great.”
The Lobos will play the University of Kansas today at 2 p.m. at Lobo Field, and will face the 14th-ranked California State University at Fullerton at noon Saturday for a doubleheader. Sunday the team will play Kansas again at noon in the final game of the invite. Craig said UNM is trying not to look past Fullerton.
“We’re trying not to focus our weekend on Fullerton — all these teams are good,” Craig said. “Whenever you start off nobody’s in top form. The important thing for us is to continue to play with confidence, continue to improve at the plate and get good pitching. I think it won’t matter who we’re playing.”
Men’s Baseball
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The UNM baseball team left Albuquerque for Las Cruces Thursday night for a three-game series against New Mexico State University. The team’s two games against New Mexico Highlands University and Eastern New Mexico University Jan. 27 and 28 were cancelled due to inclement weather.
