Written by: NMSU Athletic Dept.
LOGAN, UT - Freshman third baseman Ashley Maroda hit two homeruns, including a grand-slam and sophomore first baseman Dani Fagan added a home run of her own as the New Mexico State softball team swept Utah State, 5-4 in game one and run-ruled them, 14-1, in the final game of the series at the Johnson Field, in Logan, Utah.
Not only did the Crimson and White Women earn their first conference sweep, but they completely out did their opponent in almost every statistical category. Throughout the series, NMSU had 20 more at bats (86-66), 13 more hits (30-17), 16 more runs (24-8), had five doubles (6-1), three triples (3-0) and also stole two more bases on three more attempts (4-5 and 2-2).
Head coach Kathy Rodolph said that she was very proud of the way the team played and felt that the sweep was a complete team effort.
"We definitely needed this series," Rodolph said. Before the games, I asked the team to step up and to be the one to put the team on their back and carry us. I feel like multiple people did that today."
Leading the way for the Crimson Aggies on the day was senior second baseman Stephanie Herrera (Pecos, Texas) who hit an impressive 5-for-7 at the dish, recorded her first triple of the season, had two RBIs, scored four runs and stole two bases.
Maroda (San Bernardino, Calif.) smacked two balls out of the park in the second game and now totals 10 home runs on the season, which ties her for fourth on NMSU's all-time single season record list.
Maroda went 4-for-8 in the box, scored three runs, hit a double, a triple and had eight RBIs. In the second game, Maroda had seven RBIs which ties NMSU's single game record list.
Coach Rodolph also added that the pitching staff had solid performances on the day.
"We got great contributions from the circle," Rodolph said.
In the first game, junior right-handed pitcher Kim Watson (Spokane, Wash.) recorded her 15th win of the season in four innings of work. She recorded four strikeouts on the day, while giving up four hits and three runs.
Freshman right-hander Kristen Marris (The Colony, Texas) picked up her first save of her career. She had two strikeouts, while only giving up a hit and a run in two innings of action.
USU's Lindsey Benson recorded her 16th loss of the season. She recorded a game-high seven strikeouts, while giving up eight Crimson Aggie hits and five runs.
In game one NMSU came from behind in the seventh inning, scoring two runs on two outs
Crimson Aggies put the first run on the board in the top of the third from a senior second baseman Stephanie Herrera (Pecos, Texas), who punched a triple to the left field fence which scored senior right fielder Colleen Kimbro (Midland, Texas) that got on base from a hard-hit double to left center. The inning ended with NMSU in the lead, 1-0.
In the bottom of the inning the Crimson Aggies committed two errors which allowed USU to load the bases and then capitalized on the situation with a Kaneshiro sacrifice fly out to center field who brought home Law, that pinch ran for Haak.
Then in the bottom of the fourth, the Navy-Clad Aggies scored and extended their lead by one, 2-1.
NMSU tied the ball game in the top of the fifth. Sophomore catcher Ali Baumhover reached on an error that flew under the first baseman's legs. Then Kimbro advanced her to Baumhover to second from a sacrifice bunt and Jones' moved her to third from a sacrifice fly to left.
USU double their score in the bottom of the fifth from a double homer run effort which drove them into the lead, 4-2.
NMSU registered another run in the top of the sixth closing US's lead to one, 4-3. Maroda led the inning out with a triple to center field and then was scored by sophomore first baseman Dani Fagan (Lester, Pa.) who hit a sacrifice fly to left field. The Aggies could not score any other runs and ended the inning, 4-3.
Then in the bottom of the inning the Aggies recorded three quick outs from a three-up-three down inning.
In the top of the seventh, with two outs, NMSU's Lien smashed a triple to right field that scored Herrera who reached on a USU error and tied the ball game.
Maroda, who had a full count hit a double that scored Marris who pitch ran for Lien. The inning ended with USU catching a deep left field foul ball in the fence, 5-4.
The Crimson Aggies kept their composure as they recorded another quick three outs in the bottom of the inning, as the Aggies captured the series with the 5-4 win.
In the second game, Maroda hit a three-run homer over the left field fence that scored Gastelum and Herrera. The Aggies jumped out to a quick 3-0, in the top of the third.
NMSU doubled it's score in the top of the fourth. Baumhover started off the rally with a single up the middle and then scored from a Jones' single down the right line.
The next batter, Herrera scored Jones from a single up the middle and then advanced to second on the throw. Sophomore designated player Angie Ortega (Vado, N.M.) drove in the Herrera from a double to center field. The Crimson and White women ended the inning, 6-0.
NMSU scored eight runs in the top of the fifth, to extend its lead to 14-0.
Fagan hit her first double of the season and ended up scoring from a Navy-Clad Aggie error. Then Kimbro stole second and scored on a wild pitch from USU's circle.
NMSU scored their ninth run of the game from a Ortega walk that for Kristi Randal home and once again loaded the bases.
Then Maroda hit a grand-slam over the left field fence to cushion NMSU's lead to 14-0.
However, USU would not go down without a fight as they scored an in-the-park homer after Kimbro dove for the ball out in right field and was injured on the play. Kimbro left the game with the score, 14-1.
NMSU picked up it's first conference sweep against USU, as they won the final game, 14-5.
The Crimson Aggies' record increases to 22-27 on the season and evens out to 6-6 in the WAC. USU's overall record falls to 11-24 and 2-8 in the WAC.
Fagan went 3-for-5 in the box, while hitting her first home run in Crimson and White. She also had a double, a pair of RBIs and scored two runs.
Lien and Hanan were both 2-for-4 at the plate. Lien added a triple, while Hanan hit a double.
"I feel like collectively, as a team, we are tired of being in close games and today we did something about it," Rodolph said.
The Crimson and White women are back in action Saturday, April 19 as they go head-to-head with Cal State Bakersfield in a doubleheader. The first pitch is set for 2:00 p.m.
