The New Mexico State Aggies softball opened Conference USA play with a burst of power Friday night, March 6, rolling past the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs 14–5 in five innings at the NM State Softball Complex.
New Mexico State jumped ahead of Louisiana Tech in the bottom of the first inning. Devin Elam led off with a home run to left field, and Faith Aragon followed on the next pitch with another blast to give the Aggies a 2–0 lead.
The Aggies continued the offensive surge in the second inning, scoring five runs to break the game open. New Mexico State added five more runs in the third inning, stretching the lead into double digits and putting the run-rule win within reach.
New Mexico State finished with 14 runs on 14 hits, including five home runs, while capitalizing on four Louisiana Tech errors.
Elam hit 2 for 3 with three runs scored and an RBI to lead the Aggies at the plate. Aragon added two hits, including her first-inning homer, and drove in two runs. Kendal Lunar also homered and recorded two RBIs, while Skye Johnson contributed two hits and two RBIs as part of New Mexico State’s balanced offense.
Aragon also delivered in the circle. The right-hander allowed just one hit across three scoreless innings while striking out six to earn the win (W) and keep the Bulldogs quiet .
Louisiana Tech pushed across five runs in the fifth inning to extend the game. Reagan Marchant highlighted the rally with a three-run home run, and Bradi Gallaway drove in two more runs.
The Bulldogs’ late surge was not enough to erase New Mexico State’s early deficit as the Aggies secured the run-rule victory.
The teams continued the weekend series Saturday and Sunday in Las Cruces, with New Mexico State ultimately taking the three-game set. The Aggies will stay at home to face University of New Mexico on March 10, before travelling to Huntsville, Texas to take on Sam Houston State University for a weekend series starting Friday, March 13.
