The UNM softball team had its opportunities over the weekend but struggled to drive in runs when it needed to.
The Lobos lost a doubleheader to No. 22 San Diego State on Friday before losing to UNLV on Saturday and Sunday at Lobo Field. The Lobos fell to 20-8 overall and 4-6 in the Mountain West Conference.
UNM belted out 28 hits in the four games but scored just 12 runs over the weekend.
Lobo head coach Ty Singleton said UNM needs to do a better job of getting clutch hits.
"We didn't drive people in, so we're going to have to step up our focus in the box and dropping the ball in the gap when we have people in scoring position," he said.
The Lobos battled San Diego State both games in Friday's doubleheader.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
UNM pitcher Kelly Ninemire threw a solid complete game but couldn't find any run support as the Lobos fell 2-0. UNM couldn't take advantage of its six hits in the game.
In Friday's second game, the Lobos were able to push across four runs on eight hits, but it wasn't enough to match the Aztecs' offense, and they lost 6-4.
Ninemire had a rough outing in Saturday's game against UNLV, giving up six runs on seven hits and lasting only two innings. UNM's relief didn't fare much better, and the Rebels pounded their way to a 14-5 win. UNLV recorded 15 hits in the game, including four home runs.
The Lobos kept Sunday's finale much closer, but again they couldn't muster enough offense to pull out the win. UNLV's bats were effective enough early to hold on for a 5-3 win.
Ninemire said UNM needs to play better in all facets of the game, something the team didn't do this
weekend.
However, she said the Lobos are close to being the team they want to become.
"This team has so much potential, and we've been working hard in practice on all the things we need to work on," she said. "The main thing is to put them all together."
First baseman Lindsey Elcess - who went 3-for-3 with a run and an RBI on Saturday - agreed that the Lobos need to be more consistent.
She said UNM can't strand runners and expect to win.
"I think we definitely left too many runners on," she said. "When we have runners on, we need to push them across."
The four losses over the weekend continued the trend of the up-and-down season for the Lobos, who had won three in a row prior to this weekend's games.
UNM had a nine-game winning streak in February and March but followed it by losing eight of 10 games.
Lobo head coach Ty Singleton said UNM has to be more consistent to be successful.
"The simplicity of it is we've got to drive people in when we're on base," he said. "We got to pitch better and keep the ball down - make our pitches and not hitter's pitches. And we've got to do a better job of anticipating on defense."
Softball vs. New Mexico State
Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.
Lobo Field
