by Brandon Call
Daily Lobo
The UNM softball team's Utah trip started well, but the Lobos stumbled in their second set of games.
After sweeping Utah on Thursday, the Lobos dropped two games to Brigham Young over the weekend in Provo, Utah.
UNM fell to 14-16 and 4-3 in the Mountain West Conference, while BYU improved to 29-17 and 8-2.
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Head coach Ty Singleton said he was satisfied with his team despite the losses.
"They fought very hard as a team," he said. "I am disappointed with the outcome because we could have won both of the games, and we should have won the second game. But I'm very pleased with our team's effort this weekend. They never stopped fighting and never
gave up."
In the first game, UNM lost 7-4.
After pitching two complete games Thursday against Utah, Kelly Ninemire got the start Friday, pitching 4 2/3 innings and allowing five runs on six hits.
In the three games, Ninemire logged a total of 18 2/3 innings.
Thursday's doubleheader exhausted
Ninemire, Singleton said.
"She definitely gave it all she had," he said. "But in the end, she came up just short. She was worn out from Thursday's game, and it showed late in the game. On the weekend, she pitched very well, and I give her credit for her effort."
Offensively, the Lobos were led by senior Amy Ray and junior Lindsey Elcess, who notched two hits apiece.
In the second game, UNM dropped a 6-5
decision.
Senior Caley Peterson, the Lobos' starting pitcher Saturday, was impressive,
Singleton said.
"Caley did a nice job in the start on
Saturday," he said. "She was hitting her spots and making her pitches. She gave us a solid performance."
Peterson cruised for six innings, before giving up five runs in the bottom of the seventh to end the game.
At the plate, 5-foot-3-inch sophomore Analise Rubalcava went 3-for-3 with a double, a home run, three runs and an RBI.
Singleton said Rubalcava's strong hitting and short stature have earned her a nickname.
"Ana has been a steady contributor from the plate this season," he said. "For short athletes, we call them gnomes; they are small and pack a lot of power. Ana has a lot of pop for
a gnome."
Next up, the Lobos take on the New Mexico State Aggies on Wednesday.
UNM has already beaten NMSU twice this season, but when it comes to the rivalry, anything can happen, Singleton said.
"You always have to play well to win," he said. "NMSU is a good team, and they are having a good season. It will be a challenge, and we will have to come out and play ball."
UNM will be prepared for the Aggies, Singleton said.
"Our team has fought as well as any team that I've ever coached," he said. "Besides wanting to beat their rivals, there's a never-say-die attitude that's contagious. They have heart and guts, and I know that they will carry it into Wednesday's game."
Softball vs. NMSU
Wednesday, noon
Lobo Softball Field
