May 8, 2015
Albuquerque, N.M. -- The New Mexico Lobos pounded out 12 hits, including four home runs to hand the San José State softball team a 14-0 loss on Friday night in Lobo Softball Field.
With the loss the Spartans are eliminated from contention for the Mountain West's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament and must hope for an at-large bid if they are to play in the postseason.
SJSU (36-19, 16-7 MW) sent four pitchers to the circle, but none was able to slow down the Lobos offense on Friday.
Starter Katelyn Linford pitched two innings and faced one batter in the third. She gave up four hits and five runs including a solo shot in the first and a three-run blast in the second. She was tagged with the loss snapping a three-appearance winning streak. Her record is now 7-4.
Madison Fish replaced Linford, but faired no better. In one third of an inning she walked one and allowed three hits, including a grand slam and was lifted in favor of Allison Lang.
Lang got the final two outs of in the third, but not before giving up two runs on two hits and a walk.
In the fourth Berlyn Rippentrop surrendered a three-run homer for the final score of 14-0.
While the Spartans pitchers couldn't keep the New Mexico (29-24, 13-10 MW) bats in check, its offense struggled as well. The team managed just five hits with senior Nicole Schultz picking up a team-best two.
SJSU left eight runners on, at least one in every inning. The critical moment in the game, if the Spartans were going to get back in, was in the top of the third.
Trailing 4-0, San José State loaded the bases with nobody out. They then hit a comebacker to the pitcher who threw home for the force, popped out to first base and struck out to end the threat with three runners left on.
The team's wrap up their three-game series and regular season play on Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. (PT).
New Mexico 14, San Jose State 0 (May 08, 2015 at Albuquerque, N.M.)
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San Jose State...... 000 00 -Â 0Â 6Â 3Â Â Â Â Â (36-19, 16-7 MW)
New Mexico.......... 137 3X - 14 12Â 1Â Â Â Â Â (29-24, 13-10 MW)
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Pitchers: San Jose State - Linford, Katelyn; FISH, Madison(3); LANG, Allison(3);
RIPPENTROP, Berlyn(4) and Conchas, Daisy; Entzminger, Emma. New Mexico - SOLES and JOHNSON.
Win-SOLES(10-5)Â Loss-LINFORD, Katelyn(7-4)Â T-1:37Â A-703