| Freshman Whitney Balch hit her fifth homer of the year on Thursday. |
SAN ANTONIO ? UTSA slugged a season-high four home runs, but New Mexico hit four as part of a 14-hit output in a 15-7 win on a windy Thursday evening at Roadrunner Field.
The Lobos improved to 15-10 with the win, while the Roadrunners fell to 16-14.
Junior Leanne Risberg and freshman Whitney Balch both launched their fifth home runs of the season, while sophomore Kelly Cato hit her second and senior Kourtney Jones her first. Freshman Kristin Kappler and senior Lindsay Perry also posted hits for the Roadrunners.
Lindsey Elcess, Sara Loeffelholz, Samantha Hughes and Katie Gilmore all went yard for the Lobos, who produced season highs in runs, home runs and hits.
Loeffelholz set the tone for the evening, taking the first pitch of the game over the center-field fence for a quick 1-0 lead.
UTSA answered with a three-run second, as Cato lifted a two-run blast to left center that plated Kappler, who started the inning with a double. Jones followed with a two-out, solo shot to left center to give the Roadrunners a 3-1 advantage.
New Mexico took a 4-3 lead on Elcess’ three-run blast over the scoreboard in left in the top of the fourth, but Risberg responded with a line-drive blast on top of the hitting facility in left field on the first offering in the bottom of the frame.
After a scoreless fourth for both teams, the Lobos pushed five runs across in the fifth on the strength of two-run singles from Gabriella Parra and Analise Rubalcava.
Balch answered the call with two runners on and two down in the bottom of the frame, taking an 0-2 pitch off the scoreboard to pull UTSA within 9-7.
New Mexico broke the game open with a six-run sixth, highlighted by Gilmore’s three-run homer to right.
Kelly Ninemire allowed seven runs on six hits and five walks and struck out five in running her record to 10-7 on the year. Senior Amanda Nikolenko dropped to 8-7.
The Roadrunners travel to Thibodaux, La., to face Nicholls State in a three-game Southland Conference series this weekend.