ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Senior
Courtney Shupp showed her veteran presence in the lineup on Friday with a 4-for-7 day, including a grand slam, five RBIs, and two runs scored as the La Salle softball team (0-6) fell to South Dakota (10-8) and New Mexico (7-8) on day one of the Lobo Classic.
South Dakota 4, La Salle 3
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The Coyotes hopped out to an early 1-0 lead with a run coming in on a sacrifice in the bottom of the first.
- La Salle tied the game late with an RBI single up the middle by sophomore Kaylee Piven to plate rookie Mia Recenello.
- In the following frame, junior Ashley Mendenhall launched a two-run bomb to right field to push the Blue & Gold on top, 3-1.
- South Dakota answered in the bottom of the sixth with a three-run inning on three hits and an error to overcome the deficit.
AT THE PLATE:
- Mendenhall finished the game 1-for-3 with the two-run jack for her first of the young season.
- Shupp was 2-for-3 with a pair of base knocks.
- Piven recorded a perfect 1-for-1 outing with a walk and an RBI.
INSIDE THE CIRCLE:
- Sophomore Kelly Toomey started the game and tossed five innings with just one earned run on six hits. Toomey fanned two in the game.
- Rookie Jenna Khantzian entered in relief for one scoreless frame.
New Mexico 11, La Salle 6
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- With two away in the third inning, Shupp broke the tie with a grand slam to push the Explorers on top, 4-0.
- The lead was short-lived as the Lobos composed a seven-run inning to take the lead, 7-4. New Mexico recorded three hits and a pair of walks, partnered with an Explorer error to garner the offense.
- UNM added another four runs in the fourth to extend the lead to 11-3.
- Freshman Victoria Zatko lined out to left field in the sixth, which allowed Shupp to tag up from third and touch home.
- La Salle tried to muster a comeback with their last chance in the seventh, but the bid fell short. Shupp added another RBI to her line with a groundout that brought in freshman Lex Ortman. Rookie Casey Walker was up next and drove a single to left for classmate Maddy Little to come in.
AT THE PLATE:
- Shupp recorded a pair of hits in four trips, including the grand slam. She added five RBIs and two runs to her line for the game.
- Ortman continued to produce at the dish with another three hit game. The rookie came around to score twice in her four appearances.
- Sophomore Natalie Rios and Walker each notched two hits on the game with Walker adding an RBI.
INSIDE THE CIRCLE:
- Khantzian tossed the first frame before exiting the game with an injury.
- Toomey finished the outing with five innings of work. She allowed three earned on 11 hits and three walks, while striking out four.
UP NEXT:
La Salle takes on Northern Colorado for game one on Saturday, prior to a rematch with the hosting Lobos.