Lack of offense and some critical defensive mistakes handed the UNM softball team two losses in a double header Tuesday afternoon against the Texas Tech University.
The Lobos lost 6-2 and 2-1, dropping their overall record to 4-9-1. The Red Raiders, who have played more games because of bad weather that has stalled UNM's season, improved to 10-14,
During the first game, Brooke Chaffee's homerun-hit posted a strong lead for the Lobos in the first inning. UNM maintained its lead for four innings, when Amy Dumas struck out three opponents and allowed only five hits for the Raiders. The Lobos did not score again until the sixth inning when Lauren McCoy sacrificed an out at first base to run in her teammate Cassie Chavez.
The Raiders, in the meantime, took advantage of the Lobos' passive offense, tying the score 1-1 in the fifth inning. A wild throw by Dumas to first base allowed the Raiders to capitalize on the error.
"They took advantage of our mistakes, and that was the pivotal point," Lobo captain Tiffani Chambers said.
The Raiders earned five more runs during the last two innings of the game, building a solid lead. A combination of defensive mistakes, including Cayley Warner's error in the outfield and a change in pitchers midway through the sixth inning, allowed the Raiders to begin their climb to victory. McCoy gave up five runs in two innings.
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"We lost our intensity," Chambers said. "We've had trouble staying up for all seven innings. Our biggest problem is inconsistency."
During their second game, the Lobos maintained a closer match, falling just short of a victory by a score of 2-1.
With little offensive action on both sides, the game depended upon the pitchers and the defense to pull through for the Lobos and Raiders. Texas Tech earned their only two runs in the fourth inning when their pitcher Jana Baker hit a ball to centerfield running in two of her teammates.
Lobo pitcher Hayley Punter played an impressive game despite the loss.
She struck out seven and allowed only one earned run from five hits throughout all seven innings.
Other strong points included an unexpected homerun by third basewoman Sabrina Sandberg. With her first hit of the year, she helped the Lobos stay in a tight game with the Raiders.
UNM's next game is against Texas Tech tomorrow at noon on the Lobo Field for final match-up in the three-game series.
