CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif.— The University of New Mexico softball team started the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic with a gritty victory over UC Riverside on Thursday afternoon, relying on home runs and pitching for the 6-3 win.
UNM (6-4) opened the scoring in the third, and although the Highlanders threatened with runners in scoring position in the fourth, fifth and sixth, the Lobos didn't falter and held the lead.
The Lobo defense played a vital role in the win, turning three double plays to allow UNM to get out of the second and third unscathed and the fifth to retain the lead after UCR narrowed the margin to one at 4-3.