The New Mexico Lobos women’s softball team ended its season on May 8 after defeating UNLV 5-0 in an elimination game, then falling to Grand Canyon University 11-7 in the Mountain West Championship. The Lobos finished just short of reaching the championship game.
This result marked the best finish for a New Mexico team in the Mountain West Championship since 2001 and their highest win total since 2015, with 28 victories this season.
Caitlin Benningfield pitched a complete-game shutout against UNLV, which was both the first shutout of the 2026 Mountain West Championship and the first for New Mexico in tournament play since a victory over BYU in 2004. Melanie Macias led offensively throughout Friday’s games, driving in four runs and recording three hits. She was one of three Lobos to hit home runs during the day as New Mexico outhit both GCU and UNLV.
In their opening game against UNLV, Gabrielle Briones hit a home run early while Macias followed up with another to double their lead. Benningfield retired eleven consecutive batters between innings one and four and allowed only three hits overall. The Lobos capitalized on errors by scoring two more runs late in the game. Hayden Luderer contributed two RBIs, while Briones led with two hits.
Against Grand Canyon University later that evening, New Mexico scored twice early but gave up seven runs to GCU in the bottom of the first inning. Despite chipping away at GCU’s lead—highlighted by Jessica DeLeon’s home run—the Lobos ultimately fell short after several comeback attempts were thwarted by timely pitching from GCU.
Rowe and Macias each recorded two hits against Grand Canyon, with Macias finishing her final game of the season leading her team with three RBIs.
