Written by: NMSU Athletic Dept.
LOGAN, UT - Freshman short stop Kylie Randall went 2-for-4 in the box and junior designated hitter Stacey Lien drove in two runs as the New Mexico State softball team downed Utah State, 5-3, in the first game of the series at Johnson Field in Logan, Utah.
Kylie Randall (Chula Vista, Calif.) also had the only stolen base in the game for the Crimson Aggies, while Lien went 1-for-2 at the dish and smashed a double.
Junior right-hander pitcher Kim Watson (Spokane, Wash.) recorded her 14th win of the season, while sitting down five Navy-Clad Aggies. She saw a total of 6.2 innings of action and only gave up three walks, six hits and two runs. Junior right-handed pitcher Samantha Dillard (Phoenix, Ariz.) gave up three hits and two runs.
Head coach Kathy Rodolph said that the Aggies came out relatively aggressive, but became stronger as the game progressed. She also added that the bats pressured Utah State's defense well.
"I feel like it was solid win for us," Rodolph said. "Anytime you win in conference and on the road, it's a great win. What we have been looking for is for us to catch fire and to keep enough sparks going, I think we started that today."
NMSU's freshman short stop Kylie Randall started an offensive rally in the second inning from a perfectly placed bunt that teetered back and forth on the line in front of the catcher. Than the very next play Randall stole second.
Then her sister, junior left fielder Kristi Randall walked and Kylie Randall was out after trying to steal third, but then Kristi Randall moved to second. Then junior center fielder Rishelle Gastelum (Santa Ana, Calif.) reached on an USU error which NMSU capitalized on as Kristi Randall scored and ended the inning 1-0.
In the bottom of the second, with Utah State runners on second and two outs, Rupp smacked one out to right field which allowed Hernandez to head home, but freshman right fielder Kandis Jones (La Mirada, Calif.) launched one home which allowed freshman catcher Brittany Clifton to easily tag the runner and end the inning.
USU threatened to score again in the bottom of the third, but with two outs, Stroman hit one out to left, but Kristi Randall ran it down and made an impressive catch as she collided with the fence. The inning ended with the Crimson and White women in the lead, 1-0.
The Crimson Aggies added three more runs to their score in the top of the third which extended the lead, 4-0.
Gastelum walked and was advanced to second from a Jones' single up the middle. Then Herrera bunted and reached first on another USU error which loaded the bases. Gastelum scored from an USU pass ball and all other runners took the next base.
Junior designated hitter Stacey Lien blasted a two-run double to center field which scored Herrera and Jones. Lien would be called out for not touching first on her double and then freshman third baseman Ashley Maroda battled hard, but was struck out swinging and ended the inning with three runs scored.
USU would match NMSU's scoring effort in the bottom of the inning, scoring three runs and cut the led to one, 4-3.
However the Crimson Aggies would score again in the top of the fifth from a sophomore catcher Ali Baumhover sacrifice bunt that sent junior Kristi Hanan, who pinch ran for freshman first baseman Hoku Nohara home and cushioned the lead, 5-3.
Utah State tried to come back in the bottom of the seventh, but strong pitching by Watson and solid defense behind her ended the game, 5-3.
"We have opportunity a great opportunity in our hands and we just need to step up and play as good as we are," Rodolph said.
The Aggies are back in action Saturday, April 12, in a doubleheader, the first pitch is set for 1:00 p.m.
