This past weekend, Sam Houston (15-26) traveled to Las Cruces for a doubleheader against the New Mexico State softball team (17-16) on Friday with a closing game on Saturday. The first game started off strong with no runs after the fifth inning, ending in favor of the Aggies 9-6. The Bearkats took the lead in Game Two with a tie in the fifth inning, but Sam Houston was no match for the determined Aggies as they gained their second win of the weekend 10-8. The New Mexico State softball campaign could not manage more than four runs on Saturday, letting Sam Houston go home with a 7-4 win. 

The Aggies were up by two after the first inning of game one. With her sixth home run of the season, Kayla Bowen sent one over the fence as she brought in a runner on second while she rounded the plates. Jillian Taylor advanced the NMSU squad by hitting a two-run home run, driving in Hannah Lindsay from first base. The fifth inning saw most of the action as the Aggies secured their first win of the weekend series. Once again, Kayla Bowen delivered her second two-run home run of the game with Gabby Aragon on second. Kendal Lunar stepped up to bat, sending the ball straight down the middle field, allowing time for two runners to make it home. Riley Carley gave Lunar the bat she needed to run from third. 

Following four successful hits from the Bearkats, Aggie Coach Kathy Rodolph switched in Emily Dix to pitch for Aydenne Brown in the first inning of Game Two. The only NM State player who found a home this inning was Carley, also attaining the first home run of the game. Producing a stalemate at four in the second inning, Bowen drove a ball into right-center field to clear the bases and make her way to second. Paige Knight knocked a double for Bowen to collect a run and give the Aggies their first lead of the night. Zeros remained on the board until the fifth, which went to Sam Houston with one run. The sixth inning began with the Bearkats tacking on three more runs, but they were no match for Lunar, Carley, and Bowen. Lunar wasted no time, adding her fourth home run of the season. With two runners on base, Carley launched the ball out of the left side of the park. Continuing with her third home run of the day, Bowen capped off the Aggie’s victory.  

For the final game of the series, NM State struggled on the mound, letting Sam Houston have six walks and two players hit by pitches. The Aggie offense did not play much better, when six runners were able to make it past first base. In the first inning, Jillian Taylor advanced her RBI record by two with a hit down the left field line, earning her the lead spot in runs driven in on the year at 23. A bunt single from Jessica Carreon brought home Taylor, making NMSU up by one. Sam Houston was next to boost their score in the fourth inning. A Bearkat’s player achieved a three RBI double, gaining two runs. A runner in scoring position and a runner on second made it home and left the fourth inning leading by three. Both teams scored one run in the seventh inning, but it was not enough for the Aggie’s to carry out another win. Looking for a comeback,  Carley made a final attempt by hitting her tenth home run of the season.  

The Aggies are set to take on their I-10 rivals, the UTEP Miners, in El Paso on Tuesday at 6 p.m. Quickly following, the NMSU softball campaign plays Tarleton for a weekend series on Friday at 3 and 5:30 p.m. and Saturday at noon in Texas.