ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Having already clinched the automatic bid to the NCAA tournament and the outright Mountain West title, San Diego State was edged at New Mexico, 4-3, in the regular-season finale Saturday afternoon at Lobo Softball Field. The Aztecs (37-14, 20-4 MW) will find out their NCAA tournament destination Sunday on the NCAA Softball Championship Selection Special, which will air live on ESPN2 beginning at 4 p.m. PT.
SDSU outhit the Lobos (26-27, 6-18 MW), 7-4, but left eight runners on base in the game, going 2-for-14 (.143) with runners on base and 1-for-9 (.111) with runners in scoring position.
San Diego State opened the scoring in the top of the third inning when Nicole Siess doubled, stole third and scored on a throwing error by UNM catcher Sydney Broderick.
New Mexico answered in the bottom of the third with three runs as it loaded the bases on an error, hit by pitch and single. Ashley Archuleta and Andrea Howard followed with singles before Peyton Robinson scored on a wild pitch.
The Lobos added to their lead in the fifth when Howard's sacrifice fly plated Robinson.
The Aztecs halved the Lobo advantage in the sixth when pinch runner Audrey Kull scored on a throwing error by Archuleta at second base.
SDSU mounted one last comeback in the seventh as Siess and Espinoza each singled and moved into scoring position on a wild pitch and stolen base, respectively. UNM pitcher Amber Linton, however, struck out Mac Barbara swinging for the first out. Taylor Adams followed with a walk to load the bases. San Diego State got one run when Jessica Cordola's groundout knocked in Siess, but Jillian Celis grounded out to first baseman Reyan Tuck to end the game.
Siess had two hits, two runs and a stolen base to lead the Aztecs, while Celis added two hits. Adams doubled and walked twice, and Danielle Romanello walked in all three plate appearances.
Allie Light took the loss for SDSU after allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits and a hit batter over two innings, while striking out two. Dani Martinez gave up a run on a walk over three hitless innings of relief and Dee Dee Hernandez pitched the final inning, yielding a leadoff double with a strikeout.
THE NOTE
San Diego State saw its 25-game winning streak snapped when leading at any point in the game. The Aztecs are 35-4 on the season when leading at any point.
THE NOTE II
SDSU finished with a school-record 20 wins in Mountain West play. The 20 MW victories are tied with Fresno State (2015 and 2021) for the second most in league history.
STAT OF THE DAY
San Diego State had its 35-game winning streak snapped when scoring first. The Aztecs are now 30-1 on the season when scoring first.
UP NEXT
SDSU will find out its NCAA tournament destination Sunday on the NCAA Softball Championship Selection Special, which will air live on ESPN2 beginning at 4 p.m. PT.
New Mexico 4, San Diego State 3
San Diego State (37-14, 20-4 MW) 001 001 1 -- 3 7 2
New Mexico (26-27, 6-18 MW) 003 010 x -- 4 4 2
Light, Martinez (3), Hernandez (6) and Barbara; Linton and Broderick
W - Linton, 12-14; L - Light, 5-3
Aztecs Edged at New Mexico, 4-3, in Series Finale
