LINCOLN, NEB. –New Mexico State softball fell in a doubleheader at Nebraska on Saturday. The Aggies lost 7-6 in eight innings in the first game and 9-3 in the second.
Game 1
Kayla Green started her 16th game in the circle for NM State. The sophomore allowed her 12th home run of the season as the Aggies fell behind early, 1-0.
The Huskers lead didn't last long as Fahren Glackin hit her first home run of the season in the top of the second. The junior hit the long ball to center field to tie the game 1-1.
The Aggies took the lead in the fifth inning Rachel Rodriguez and Haley Nakamura singled to start the inning. Kelsey Horton drove in Rodriguez to take the 2-1 lead. Kaitlyn Rubio came in to pinch hit and drew a walk to load the bases.
Witht the bases loaded, Caity Szczesny came to the plate and was hit by a pitch to score the second run of the inning. NIkki Butler reached on a fielder's choice to follow Szczesny and score another run for NM State. Victoria Castro rounded out the Aggies rally as the sophomore singled to drive in the fourth run of the inning, giving New Mexico State the 5-1 lead.
In the next three innings, the Huskers scored four unanswered runs to send the game to extra innings.
In the eighth, the Aggies put up a run to take the lead. Castro led the inning with a double. Destiny Blueford singled to advance Castro and put runners on first and third. A passed ball by Nebraska brought Castro home for the 6-5 lead.
Nebraska's rally continued as the Huskers scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth to defeat NM State 7-6 in walk-off fashion.
Game 2
New Mexico State jumped out to an early lead in the second inning. With runners on first and second, Rachel Rodriguez hit a single to score the first run of the game.
The lead didn't last long as the Huskers scored a run of their own in the third.
In the fifth inning, NM State took a 3-1 lead over Nebraska. Kelsey Horton led the inning with a double. Victoria Castro hit a double of her own to bring the sophomore home. Caity Szczesny hit the third double of the inning, scoring Castro and giving the Aggies the 3-1 advantage.
The Huskers rallied in the bottom of the inning as Nebraska tied the game 3-3. NU followed the two run fifth with a six-run sixth inning for take the 9-3 lead.
The deficit would be too much for the Aggies to overcome as NM State fell in the second game of the doubleheader 9-3.
Kayla Green is credited with both losses of the day as she moves to 5-8 this season. The Aggies fall to 9-13 with the losses,
New Mexico State wraps up the series with Nebraska on Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m. (MT).
