The New Mexico softball team opened its 2016 season with two wins and three losses at the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Arizona, over the weekend.
The Lobos started the tournament Friday afternoon with a 2-1 victory over San Diego, with runs from right fielder Jade Gray and shortstop Michala Erickson. Freshman Collette Robert earned her first win in her debut.
UNM followed that performance up with an 8-4 win over Stanford in its first game Saturday. The Lobos scored three runs in the first inning and led for the remainder. Lauren Soles had the win in the circle.
From there, New Mexico lost its next three, a 2-0 Saturday decision to Cal Poly then two Sunday losses to Oregon State, 11-1, and No. 18 Kentucky, 15-6.
Robert went 1-2 for the weekend with a 5.93 earned-run average, and Soles had a 2.45 ERA. Krissy Fortner took the other pitching loss for UNM.
Three UNM batters capped the tournament with .400 batting averages, led by utility player Karissa Haleman's .444. She went 3-for-4 in the five games. Erickson hit .417 while catcher Chelsea Johnson was .400 at the plate.
In addition to Haleman, Gray and center fielder Mariah Rimmer also had three hits apiece in the five games.
