April 24, 2015
SAN DIEGO -
Note that Saturday's game has been moved to 3 p.m. PT because of incoming rain.
San Diego State committed four errors, including two in the top of the seventh inning, in an 8-6 loss to New Mexico Friday night at SDSU Softball Stadium.
The Aztecs (30-18, 13-6 MW) had a 6-1 lead after six innings, but the Lobos (25-21, 9-7 MW) came roaring back with seven runs in the seventh on six hits, the two SDSU errors, a hit by pitch and a close play at first that could have ended the game at 6-5 in favor of the home team.
In the seventh, UNM rallied with a two-run double by Michala Erickson, an RBI singles by Chelsea Johnson and Brandi Heimburg to close the gap to 6-5. After San Diego State sophomore pitcher Erica Romero (Corona, Calif.) struck out Shelbie Franc, Mariah Rimmer hit a spinning ball to Aztec junior second baseman Leia Ruiz (Chino, Calif.). Ruiz fielded it and tossed it to sophomore first baseman Sydnee Cable (Huntington Beach, Calif.), where, after a brief delay, the first base umpire called Rimmer safe. Gabrielle Stacey and Brandi Heimburg scored on the Rimmer single, and Jasmine Casados scored on a throwing error by SDSU.
After retiring Karissa Haleman on a groundout, San Diego State went in order in the bottom of the seventh, sealing the 8-6 loss.
After going hitless for 3 1/3 innings, the Aztecs exploded with four runs in the fifth on five hits and a New Mexico error. Senior Hayley Miles (Antelope, Calif.) singled and later scored on a double by senior Kayla Jordan (San Diego/Bonita Vista HS). Junior Samantha Camello (Temecula, Calif.), who reached on a fielding error by Lobo shortstop (Erickson), then scored on a sacrifice fly by Ruiz. Senior Lorena Bauer (San Diego/Steele Canyon HS) followed with a double to right-center field to plate Jordan and was replaced by senior Briana Gamm (Sherman Oaks, Calif.). Gamm advanced to third on a single by freshman Jenavee Peres (Garden Grove, Calif.) and scored on an infield single by Cable for the final run of the inning.
Two SDSU errors led to UNM's first run of the game in the sixth when Franc drew a bases loaded walk.
In the sixth, Miles drew a one-out walk and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Camello. Jordan followed with a single to right field, which went under the glove of Heimburg and allowed Miles to score. Heimburg then threw the ball past the cutoff man and Jordan scooted home to give San Diego State its 6-1 lead, setting up New Mexico's dramatic come-from-behind victory.
Jordan led the Aztec offense with two hits, including a double, two runs and an RBI, while Peres had two hits and her fifth stolen base of the season. Cable added an RBI single and was hit by a pitch, and Miles singled, walked and scored two runs.
Romero (28-15) took the loss after allowing eight runs (three earned) on nine hits, five walks and four hit batters over seven innings. She struck out seven.
SDSU had its streak of 58 consecutive wins when leading after five innings snapped in the loss.
Game No. 2 of the series has been moved up to 3 p.m. PT Saturday at SDSU Softball Stadium.
New Mexico 8, San Diego State 6
New Mexico (25-21, 9-7 MW) 000 001 7 -- 8 9 3
San Diego State (30-18, 13-6 MW) 000 042 0 -- 6 7 4
Sheehan, Fortner (5) and Hignojos; Romero and Peres
W - Fortner, 8-4; L - Romero, 28-15