Written by: NMSU Athletic Dept.
LAS CRUCES, N.M. - After beating Cal State Bakersfield in two-out-of three games last weekend, the New Mexico State softball team has a quick turn-around as they travel up I-25, to Albuquerque, N.M., Tuesday, April 22, to go head-to-head with rival UNM in the second meeting of the season. The first pitch is set for 6:30 p.m.
As of the current date, UNM holds a 8.5 point lead over NMSU in the Rio Grande Rivalry Competition and even though UNM has a solid grasp on the rivalry competition for this year, beating the Lobos would surely help the Aggies’ drive into reclaiming it for the remainder of the spring season and into the fall.
This is the 127th meeting between these two softball programs and the Lobos currently have a 26 game advantage over the Aggies. Last season, the Aggies fell in three of the four matches against the Lobos, however did win the final game of the season, 3-1.
The Crimson and White women own a 24-28 record on the season and are still an even 6-6 in conference.
Fans can watch live stats at www.nmstatesports.com and can find stats and recaps following the conclusion of the game there also. Fans can also listen to the game live on KSNM-AM 570 with Kyle Doperalski bringing you play-by-play action.
NMSU vs. UNM
Earlier this season the Aggies fell, 7-6 in nail-biter. NMSU led the way, 4-3, going into the sixth until the Lobos lit it up with a four run inning, taking the lead, 7-4. The Aggies scored one more time in the bottom of the six and then again in the seventh, but could not overcome the deficit and fell, 7-6, to their I-25 rival.
Leading the way in the box against the UNM was Aggie freshman third baseman Ashley Maroda (San Bernardino, Calif.) who hit a perfect 3-for-3, including a bomb over the left field fence. She also scored two runs and had an RBI.
Freshmen catcher Brittany Clifton (Simi Valley, Calif.) and outfielder Kandis Jones (La Mirada, Calif.) both were 2-for-4 at the dish, while Clifton added an RBI and Jones scored a run. Freshman first baseman Hoku Nohara also hit one out of the park for the Aggies.
Junior right-handed pitcher Samantha Dillard (Phoenix, Ariz.) started the game and had a team-high four strikeouts. She gave up five hits and two runs in three innings of work.
Junior right-handed pitcher Kim Watson (Spokane, Wash.) came in to pitch the next 2.2 innings. Watson gave up five hits on five runs and sat two Lobos down. Freshman right-hander Kristen Marris (The Colony, Texas) wrapped up the final 1.1 innings. She gave up a single hit and recorded a strikeout.
UNM’s Kelly Ninemire started the game and earned the save on the night. She gave up six Aggie hits and four runs, while only recording a single strikeout. Madelyn Machac fanned six and gave up five hits and two runs. She records the win in her 3.2 innings of work.
A Bit More on the Lobos
Over the weekend, New Mexico softball fell in two games against UNLV, 14-5 and 5-3. Sophomore Gabriella Parra led UNM at the plate going 1-for-3 with two RBI.
UNM’s season record falls to 20-18 overall as they drop it’s fourth straight Mountain West Conference game and currently own a 4-6 conference record.
NMSU Takes Second Series
The New Mexico State softball team won two of its three games over Cal State Bakersfield throughout the weekend, as the Aggies picked up their second series win of the season.
NMSU fell, 5-3, in the opening game between these two squads, but came out in the second game of the double header, on fire as they scored six runs in the first inning to beat the Roadrunners, 6-2.
The Aggies capped off the series with a, 4-3, win, Sunday, that went a complete seven innings and took until the bottom of the seventh to determine a winner.
