by TUCSON, Ariz.— The University of New Mexico softball team gave the No. 7 Alabama Crimson Tideabattle onFriday afternoon, going sixth scoreless innings before giving up the lone run in the contest in the top of the seventh for the 1-0 defeat in the first game of the Hillenbrand Invitational.
“I am proud of how we came out against Alabama,” head coach Paula Congleton said following the game. “We were focused and ready for the competition. Their hard work and perseverance is paying off.”
Kiana Spencer (Navajo) pitched another complete game for the Lobos in the circle, giving up six hits, only one of which went for extra bases, and allowing just three walks on 29 batters faced.
“Kiana threw a terrific game, while our defense also played a solid game,” said Congleton.
Alabama (7-0) outhit UNM (2-2) by a 6-4 margin, but also left seven runners on base to six for UNM.
Entering the Hillenbrand Invitational, the Crimson Tide was third in the NCAA in scoring, averaging 10.60 runs, and had averaged 10.2 hits a game and 2.60 doubles a game (tied for 10th in the NCAA). Alabama hit .261 in the game, below the .378 batting average that the team entered with, which was 16th in the nation. Spencer kept Alabama’s leading hitter Kaylee Tow, who ranked eighth in the NCAA in batting average and seventh in on-base percentage, without a hit.
After going down in order in the top of the first to start the game, Alabama had runners on first and second in the top of the second with just one out, and advanced the runners to second and third on a groundout to Wilmert at first for the second out. However, the Lobos eluded any runs from crossing the plate with a foul out to Monica Salas at third to end the inning. It was the only time, prior to the seventh inning, that Alabama had a baserunner touch third base.
UNM’s best opportunity to get on the board came in the bottom of the third, with O’Grady singling down the right-field line with two outs. Wilmert hit the first pitch she saw out of the shortstop’s reach, with the ball rolling all the way to the wall in left center. O’Grady attempted to score from first on the play, however, the throw from the shortstop home beat O’Grady as the catcher tagged her out at the plate.
After six scoreless innings by both teams, Alabama got the only run it needed in the top of the seventh. A leadoff single, followed by a sacrifice bunt to third to advance the runner put the Crimson Tide in scoring position. A groundout to O’Grady at short gave UNM two outs in the inning, but a double to right center by KB Sides scored Maddie Morgan from second for the first and only run of the game.
In the bottom half of the inning, Buckholz got on base with a one-out walk, but the Lobos were unable to advance pinch runner Aleyah Wilbon.
