TEMPE, Ariz. – The New Mexico State softball team concluded the Devil Classic with a contest against Coastal Carolina at Farrington Stadium on Sunday. The Aggies fell 6-2 in the tournament finale despite a pair of RBI singles by Kelsey Horton.
After a scoreless inning for both teams, NM State (10-8) capitalized with runners on first and second. Horton singled to left field, bringing in Caity Szczesny for the first run of the game,
New Mexico State expanded its lead in the fourth, which started by Szczesny and Sarai Mejia picked up a pair of walks. Horton came up clutch once again, hitting her second RBI single of the game to give the Aggies the 2-0 advantage.
Despite pitching three scoreless innings, pitcher Kayla Green struggled in the bottom of the fourth, giving up a single and a two-run home run to Coastal Carolina (13-8), tying the game 2-2.
In the following frame, the junior hit trouble again, giving up a double to start the inning. Head coach Kathy Rodolph made a change in the circle, bringing in Analise De La Roca to pitch. The freshman gave up a walk and a long single to break the stalemate and the fourth unanswered run followed as a Chanticleer sacrifice fly brought home the runner from third.
Coastal Carolina's momentum continued into the sixth with a triple followed by a homer, putting NM State behind 6-2 with just an inning remaining. Despite drawing a leadoff walk in the top of the seventh, the Aggies' rally fell short and the team closed out the tournament with a 6-2 loss to the Chanticleers.
Green moved to 6-4 with the loss to CCU. The junior pitched 4.0 innings allowing three runs on three hits and striking out a pair of Chanticleer batters. De La Roca pitched 1.1 innings giving up three hits and three runs,
For the squad's next set of contests, New Mexico State travels to Las Vegas for the Rebel Classic. NM State faces DePaul, Portland State, tournament host UNLV, and No. 1 Washington. The Aggies first game is set for Thursday, March 8, when the team takes on the Blue Demons at 7 p.m. MT.
