The UNM softball team extended its win streak to nine games Saturday, defeating Georgetown and Wright State.
The Lobos beat the Hoyas 5-4 in the first game before knocking off Wright State 8-4.
UNM head coach Ty Singleton said he was impressed with his team's performance.
"I'm very pleased with the way we came out and executed," he said. "We came in with the goal of sweeping this series, and that's exactly what we did. That was a plus for us."
With the win, UNM improved to 13-5. The Lobos will get a chance to extend their winning streak to 10 when they take on defending NCAA Champion Arizona on Friday.
In the first game of Saturday's doubleheader, the Lobos faced a Georgetown team coming in with a 6-17 mark. But the Hoyas were no cakewalk for UNM.
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Thanks to a well-executed bunt by Georgetown's Suria Bahadue, the Hoyas jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning.
The Lobos would respond with back-to-back homers from Lindsey Elcess and Gabriella Parra, making it 2-2 heading into the top of the second.
The score would remain tied until the top of the fifth inning when - with the bases loaded - Georgetown's Bahadue recorded an RBI off of Lobo pitcher Madelyn Machac, with a blooper to right field.
Shortly thereafter, Singleton, looking to quell the Hoyas momentum, replaced Machac with No. 1 starter Kelly Ninemire.
The Hoyas would tack on one more in the inning, making it 4-2 going to the bottom of the 5th.
The Lobos would answer with yet another home run. And yet again, it was Parra who provided the fireworks - this time a three-run shot.
"It was exciting," she said. "There were two outs and two runners on base. I was initially shooting for a double, or at least just a hit, and it went over."
The homer, which gave the Lobos a 5-4 lead that they never relinquished, capped a stellar weekend for Parra.
Parra had the game-winning single that boosted the Lobos over Wright State on Friday. UNM won 5-4.
However, Parra, who was the Gatorade Softball Player of the Year in 2006, has brought much more than run support to the Lobos, Singleton said.
"She has definitely brought a composure to this team," he said. "If she makes a mistake, she doesn't dwell on it. That kind of an attitude is contagious."
As for Parra, her recent success has boosted her confidence level.
"Anytime you have a game like that, it helps a ton," she said. "Softball can mess with your head sometimes, but you have to be there mentally, game in and game out."
Parra knows first-hand how strenuous softball can be. Last year as a freshman, Parra tore her ACL and was sidelined for the remainder of the season.
"It was hard," she said. "I had never been injured before, so it was difficult. But I was able to pull through because of some great support from my teammates and the training staff."
And unfortunately for the Hoyas, Parra is back at 100 percent. But her performance did not finish there.
Spilling over into the nightcap, Parra's aggressive batting style helped solidify a win. She went 2-for-3 in an 8-4 Lobo rout over the Wright State Raiders.
Singleton said Parra is the type of player who is fun to coach.
"She is aggressive," he said. "She definitely takes her hacks. I'm very proud of her efforts. She is a true ballplayer."
Softball at Arizona
Friday, 7 p.m.
Tucson, Ariz.
