In a double-header matchup for the Battle of I-25, New Mexico State softball rallied in the sixth inning of the second game to defeat the University of New Mexico Lobos 8-4. The victory marks the Aggies’ 18th win in 21 contests between the two teams, cementing a powerful program reputation. The Aggies quickly took care of business in the first game handing the Lobos a 9-1 loss in just five innings. Notching the two wins into their belt, the Aggies rise to 18-12 overall and remain at 6-3 in conference play.
With senior powerhouse Emily Dix in the circle, the Lobos managed to get one runner on base but were unsuccessful in bringing their teammate home. The Aggies managed to get a runner on third in the bottom half but followed suit for a scoreless first inning.
After another zero-run inning in the second, the Lobos found their way onto the scoreboard with a single home run from Rachel Hathoot. After a pass ball behind the plate, the Lobos tacked on an unearned run for a 2-0 lead.
The Aggies then retaliated when sophomore Devin Elam stepped up to the plate and blasted a three-run home run to put her team ahead. Continuing the offensive effort and with runners in scoring position, redshirt senior Kristen Boyd nailed a double to left center to plate another run to take a 4-2 lead in the bottom of the third.
“In the fourth hole, we expect [Elam] to kind of be our enforcer,” head coach Kathy Rodolph said regarding Elam’s home run. “The dugout erupted, as you know, just really celebrating our success.”
Refusing to back down, the Lobos pulled in another run with a single up the middle to trail by only one run in the top of the fourth. After a pitching change to junior Jaileen Mancha, the Aggies went into the bottom half but were unable to tack on any runs.
The Lobos tied the game in the top of the fifth after a double from Chloe Yeatts yielded another unearned run. The Aggies were able to secure three outs before the Lobos could pull ahead but once again had a scoreless bottom half.
After stumping the Lobos in the top half, the Aggies broke it open in the bottom of the sixth with a single from senior Jillian Taylor followed up by a Lobo throwing error, giving the Aggies a two-run lead. With the momentum on their side, the Aggies plated two more runs with a double from Elam to left center for a comfortable 8-4 lead.
After Mancha led a strong defense in the top of the seventh, the Lobos hit the road with the 8-4 loss as the Aggies secured back-to-back victories.
“I feel like we’re gelling together really well as a team and that they’re playing for each other,” coach Rodolph said after the game. “I really like that and our energy in the dugout is good and they’re very supportive of anybody that their name gets called to play.”
Moving forward, the Aggies will remain at home for another three-game series against the University of San Diego Toreros. The non-conference matchup is set to start on Friday, March 29 at 1 p.m. followed by Saturday at 3 p.m. and will finish up on Sunday at noon. Coverage will be streamed on ESPN+.
