By Niles Hall (@n23hall)-Spear Reporter | SJSU Reina Zermeno preparing to hit at home plate photo (Photo By Jasmina Lara, March 8th, 2025 )
San Jose State softball (12-15, 1-2 MW) lost the final game of a three-game series 6-4 Sunday against Mountain West Conference foe New Mexico (16-13-1, 2-1 MW).
The game started with bats swinging early in the first inning when the Spartans got two runners on base via base hits. The Lobos then had a fielding error, and runners advanced to second and
third base.
Senior catcher Aneesa Almaguer and Carly Cummings strengthened the Spartans’ offense with two hits each in this game.
The leadoff batter for the Lobos, senior infielder Ashley Archuleta, had an outstanding game Sunday having four hits with four total at-bats.
The Spartans took advantage of their early success when junior infielder Ahmiya Noriega had an RBI single. SJSU earned another run when Almaguer was walked with bases loaded. The Spartans had an early 2-0 lead.
The Lobos urgently responded in the bottom of the inning with two runs. Ashley Archuleta hit a double to center field. The following at-bat, sophomore outfielder DeNae Vasquez-Dickson slammed a home run to center field which tied the game.
Things stayed level until the fourth inning when the Spartans took advantage after both batters to start the inning were walked. SJSU then hit two sacrifice flies, allowing the runners to advance. One eventually scored to give the Spartans a 3-2 lead.
The Lobos responded in the bottom of the fifth inning when sophomore infielder Katherine Brunner hit a home run to left field. This gave the Lobos momentum, and later in the inning, sophomore Hayden Luderer had a two RBI double to left field. The Lobos took a commanding 5-3 lead.
The Spartans couldn’t respond in the top of the sixth inning. And the Lobos added to their lead in the bottom of the inning, scoring another run.
SJSU head coach Tammy Lohmann, “Just didn’t take the opportunities that we had with runners in scoring position today” Lohmann said, “gotta get better as we head home”.
SJSU tried rallying back in the final inning, scoring a run, but it wasn’t enough.
The Spartans return home on Friday against Colorado State. The scheduled start time is 6 p.m.
